Hours had passed since Alice and the others wiped out the monsters Rossward left behind.

We left the cleanup to Trim-san's unit and returned to the castle in Central. Azazel-sensei, Tiamat, and I were utterly drained, desperate for rest, but duty called. We had new intel to share.

Morris, looking grim, spoke up. "Rossward… that's his name. And if even you three couldn't touch him…"

"Yeah," Azazel-sensei said. "I was shocked. Didn't expect him to be that strong. If you guys hadn't shown up, one of us would've died. Thanks."

He was right. Without Alice, I'd be toast. I owe her big time—not just her, but Asia for healing me and Tiamat for grabbing my severed arm despite her own injuries.

"It's good you're alive," Morris said, "but Oberu's in ruins. Casualties aren't light."

The mood darkened. Rossward's final black spear barrage had leveled the town. Miraculously, the club was unharmed, but civilians weren't so lucky.

Damn it. My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms, drawing blood I barely noticed.

I was powerless! If I'd been stronger, maybe no one would've died!

"But that's…" Ddraig started.

I know! Whining won't change anything!

Still…

Clink. A teacup was set before me. I looked up to see Valkyria standing beside me.

"Issei-sama," she said, "I understand your feelings, but calm yourself. In times like these, you know composure is key, don't you?"

She glanced around the room. "Everyone here shares your pain. If you blame yourself, you'll only hurt them—and me."

"Valkyria…" I muttered.

"This isn't the time for grief or regret," she continued, covering her mouth. "It's time to plan ahead. Oh, but a maid like me shouldn't say such things. My apologies." She bowed and stepped back.

Haha… classic Valkyria. Her words somehow cleared my head, sorting the chaos in my mind like magic.

"She's right," Morris said. "Issei, all of you—no time for self-blame. Or any time at all."

He scribbled on a board, outlining the new intel and next steps. "Oberu's residents are evacuating to other towns. Reconstruction will start soon with aid, especially from Galepein. Nina, that's on you."

"Understood, Uncle," Nina nodded.

Morris turned to Alice and Lisha. "Alice, send today's intel to other nations. Tell them to flee, not fight, if Rossward shows up. Engaging him without a plan just wastes lives."

"Got it," Alice said.

"Lisha, assist Azazel," Morris continued. "Lend him a lab. He's got parts of those white monsters—might find a breakthrough."

"I'll guide Azazel-san tomorrow," Lisha said. "You should rest today."

Azazel-sensei gave a wry smile. "Thanks. Even I'm wiped after that. Need a day."

"No problem," Lisha said. "Those injuries were severe. Issei, you rest too, okay?"

"Yeah, I know," I said. I was at my limit, dizzy from blood loss.

"Rossward's still affected by a seal," Morris added. "We need to act while it holds. Tomorrow, we investigate the residual energy in Oberu. Help out, but rest well today."

After the meeting, I sipped tea, relaxing, when Lisha spoke from across the table. "Why don't I nurse you back to health, like old times?"

What!? Seriously!? Like, with a lap pillow!? Count me in!

Lisha's thighs are smooth, with just the right firmness—pure bliss! To feel that again? Jackpot!

"Please!" I said.

"Hehe, same old Issei," Lisha said. "I'll do it in your room later."

Yes! I'm alive for this moment!

ZAP! Lightning crackled, and a murderous glare hit me.

"Ohohoho," Alice said, her voice dripping with menace. "You seem lively, Issei. How about sparring with my spear? Aiming for your head."

Whoa! Alice was in battle mode, glaring with sparking lightning. Stop that, please! I'll die!

"Issei-senpai," Koneko said, "you're such a pervert in this situation. Take Alice-san's spear to the head."

"Indeed," Valkyria added. "A direct hit to your brain might curb your perversion."

Oof! Koneko and Valkyria's combo attack! Was Koneko's venom sharper than usual? Did Valkyria coach her!?

And hitting my brain!? That's a skull-crusher!

Nearby, Alice turned on Lisha. "You too! Stop indulging Issei!"

"Can't I?" Lisha asked.

"No way!" Alice snapped.

"Why not?"

"Because… he's a pervert!"

"He's always been like that," Lisha said. "I know."

"B-But…!" Alice stammered.

Lisha grabbed Alice's shoulders, smiling. "Fine, I'll let you have Issei. You nurse him."

"What!? Why me!?" Alice yelped.

"Because you—" Lisha started.

"No! Stop!" Alice, red as a tomato, covered Lisha's mouth, panicking.

What was that about?

"Still not honest," Morris muttered.

Back in my room, I dove onto the bed. Exhaustion hit like a truck, sapping my strength. I passed out instantly.

Hours later, a soft poke on my cheek and a voice woke me. "Big brother, wake up."

I opened my eyes. The faint sunlight from earlier was gone; it was pitch dark outside.

"Nina?" I mumbled.

"Yup, it's me," she said, smiling as she poked my cheek.

Why was she in my room?

"Sorry for waking you," she said.

"Nah, it's fine," I said. "A nap helped. I'm less beat."

My body was still heavy, but better than before. I sat up, stretching. Man, I slept well.

"Good," Nina said. "I came to tell you I prepared a bath for you."

"A bath? For me? Not the usual big one?"

Since arriving, I'd used the servants' large bath. It was open anytime, and I planned to hit it after waking. Felt bad making them prep something special.

"It's special water to ease your fatigue," Nina said.

"Wow, thanks, Nina," I said, patting her head.

She blushed, looking shy.

"I'll get ready. Wait a sec?"

"Sure!" she chirped.

I prepped quickly, and Nina led me to the royal bath on the castle's top floor.

"Whoa, can I use this?" I said. "I mean, I did back then, but…"

"It's fine for you," Nina said, pushing me into the changing room.

Was it just me, or did she seem forceful? Whatever—she went out of her way for me. I'd enjoy it.

The bath was filled with milky water, fragrant with herbs. Felt like a fatigue-relieving spell was mixed in.

I sank in. "Ahh…"

That spa-like sigh slipped out. The water seemed to melt my exhaustion. Was this the spell's effect?

Splashing water on myself, I savored it. I'd been using big baths at home, so a normal-sized one felt nice for a change. How long had it been?

The moon through the window was gorgeous, soothing my mind too. Gotta thank Nina later—this bath was perfect.

As I basked in gratitude—

Click. The door opened.

"!?"

We locked eyes and froze.

It was Alice—buck naked!

"W-W-What!? Alice!?" I yelped.

"Why are you here!?" she screamed.

We jumped, shouting in sync.

Why was Alice here!? Sure, it's the royal bath, but Nina said it was reserved for me!

Alice covered herself, yelling, "Peeping!?"

"If I was peeping, I wouldn't be so obvious!" I shot back.

"Then why are you here!?"

"Nina brought me!"

"Nina!? Wait—cover yourself, you idiot!"

"Whoa!" I realized I was naked too, grabbing a towel to cover up. Perfect!

Not the time to gloat! I had to explain, or I'd be fried!

"L-Listen, please! And stop the lightning!" I begged.

"Fine… talk," Alice said, crouching, glaring with teary eyes.

Please understand! I explained everything to her.

After my explanation, Alice sighed heavily. "Ugh, Nina set us up."

"Set us up?" I asked.

"She told me to try this great bathwater too," Alice said.

No way… Nina planned this?

Why would she?

"That girl, always meddling…" Alice muttered, lost in thought.

"Well, I'll head out," I said.

"What? You just got in," she said.

"Yeah, but…"

Staying felt rude, and seeing Alice's body might get me zapped.

As I moved to leave, she grabbed my arm.

"What?" I asked.

"…It's fine," she mumbled.

"Huh?"

"I said, it's fine!" she snapped. "You can stay… with me."

…

…

What!?

"Seriously!?" I gasped.

"Don't make me repeat it, idiot!" she yelled.

Pow! Her fist slammed my face.

Wiping my nosebleed, I replayed her words. Alice, okay with bathing together!?

Is this a dream? Don't wake me!

Alice, red-faced and fidgeting, said, "Nina went through the trouble… Kicking you out feels wrong. So, maybe… together's fine?"

Her voice trembled! Was she okay? I wouldn't get electrocuted, right?

Heart pounding, I joined Alice in the tub.

The royal bath was only slightly bigger than a normal one. Two people made it cramped, so we were practically glued together.

…

…

Silence. Awkward air hung heavy.

Normally, I'd be all about a girl's soft skin, her chest, her thighs. But in this vibe…

Okay, I'm enjoying it a little. Her smooth skin, sweet scent, and—yes—her chest! Gotta sneak a peek, subtly.

No staring, or I'm toast.

Still, Alice inviting me to stay? After her drunken stunt, sure, but this? Unexpected.

Gotta break this silence. She's red-faced, clearly lost for words.

I was about to speak when she beat me to it. "You're always getting wrecked, Issei. Today too."

"Yeah, guess so," I said.

My enemies are always crazy strong, leaving me battered. I've known that for a while.

"I was shocked," she said. "Your arm was gone, spears everywhere…"

"I didn't expect to get that beat," I said. "Rossward's strength is unreal."

"You could've escaped," she said.

"No way," I said. "Abandon everyone? I'd rather fight and get wrecked."

I mean it. I'd fight to the end before running. Strategic retreats, sure, but ditching my friends? Never.

"You haven't changed," Alice said, smiling softly.

"Never will," I replied.

She chuckled.

I won't change my way of life. I'll protect what matters, even if it breaks me. Though lately, everyone's been telling me to ease up.

Alice scooped water, looking down. "When I saw you down today, my heart nearly stopped."

"Exaggerating much?" I said.

"No," she said. "Thinking you might be dead… I couldn't think straight."

"…"

"But knowing you were alive, I was so relieved. I held back tears," she said, giving a wry smile.

She'd seemed calm, but I'd worried her that much.

"Sorry," I said.

"Why apologize?" she said. "I just want you alive."

"Haha, Miu said that too," I said.

"Miu, huh?" Alice said. "Never thought you'd adopt a Demon King's daughter."

"Not surprised I brought her?" I asked.

"When I heard she was missing, I had a hunch," she said. "Plus…"

"Plus?"

She poked my cheek, smiling. "It's something you'd do."

Guess she saw through me. Was my secret mission that obvious?

"Like Miu said," Alice continued, "I'm just happy you're alive. That's enough." She wrapped her arms around my neck, her eyes heavy with emotion.

"Don't die," she said.

Her words hit hard, straight from the heart.

She knows I'll go all-out against Rossward. He's the kind you can't survive without going overboard. She gets that.

She didn't tell me not to be reckless—just to come back alive. That's her wish.

"I won't die," I said.

"You better not," she said. "Break a princess's promise, and you're in for it."

"I won't," I said. "If I did, I'd be dead anyway."

"True," she laughed. "Hehe."

We burst out laughing.

The warm water lulled us, and sleepiness hit. We both closed our eyes.

The next morning, the awkwardness between us was no surprise.

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