CHAPTER 112: YOU ARE STILL A PURE MAIDEN, MASTER

"Silence!" Alicia voiced. "I... I’m fixing my husband’s tool."

"..."

As she began to use healing magic—without even chanting a spell, no less—I raised my hand to her cheek.

As we stayed there for a moment—

"OW!!!" Alicia cried out. "What is your problem?! Maybe I should apply pressure to your wounds?!"

I had pulled her cheek like elastic, but truly, if she attacked me in my current state, I would undoubtedly die!

"How rude," I pouted. "Referring to me as a tool! And Master Raven is a bachelor!"

I tuned out Alicia’s nagging and looked around...

At this point, Tamayō would usually say something haughty, but I now realized she hadn’t been around during such a dangerous event.

She and the other summons were probably kept out of the loop by Platform.

Though, her being here would’ve been futile.

"M... Ma..."

"?!"

I sensed a presence, so I turned to find her...

"Flora!" I called out.

"Wahhhh!" She ran to me, wailing. "Papa and Mama were fighting!!"

She was around during that time?!

As she embraced me on the grass, pain immediately shot through my entire body—dissonance from Platform’s attack.

They were truly terrifying...

"It’s fine now, Flora dear," I said, rubbing her cotton-soft hair. "Papa and Mama won’t fight anymore, okay?"

She sniffled. "Really?"

"I promise you."

By the way... is Jobina truly still asleep? After all the ruckus we caused? She needs much discipline...

Or maybe she ran away.

"Who are you calling Papa?" Alicia began, a hand over her lips. "Better know your place, forest girl."

I then caught a glimpse of her hiding a small smile. That dishonest little brat.

"But..." I began, still holding Flora, "Platform was right about one thing: I am beginning to lose my edge, in truth... my effectiveness..."

Alicia sighed. "I’ve told you—you don’t have to lis—"

"No..." I cut her off, my stern eyes meeting hers. "I love you all. You are all the first group I consider family—the first bunch I feel affection for."

Alicia stared at me.

"I will continue to act as I already have with you all. But... as for the outsiders, I shall show no mercy."

I glanced at the water sky, my eyes squinting.

"Master Raven will begin his journey to human lands today. I will not fail to use any tricks up my sleeve to make his goals a realization. I won’t be soft, but I will be a sweet poison. I will make Master Raven happy! You better up your game too, rival of mine—!"

Before I could finish speaking, Alicia had run over and covered my eyes with her palm...

Hmph.

A futile attempt to obscure my sight—from seeing that adorable shade of red painting her embarrassed face.

Alicia smiled warmly at me, a type of warm and tender smile I hadn’t received from anyone in a very long time.

Fool... I can see you.

"Don’t get carried away," she began. "I chose you to be my rival, didn’t I... But... I also made no mistake when I chose you as a meat shield."

"Huh?!" I snapped. "Is this your idea of a warm scene?!"

Ignoring my rant, Alicia struggled to keep my eyes from opening so I wouldn’t see her vulnerable reactions.

What a brat... Hehe.

*

RUBEN

Ugh! As usual:

"Save us, please!"

"Help us, great one!"

"We don’t have time left, please save us."

"At least send an apostle, you dumb deity!"

Huh?! Who are you calling dumb? You dumb voice in my mind!

Maybe I was getting the prayers being sent to a god nearby?

If so, I better find a way to turn it off, before I become accused to misleading a sect or cult.

But c’mon; the requests and cries are killing me!

Just before I could yell "Give me a break! Damnit!" I felt my consciousness come back to me and I opened my eyes.

Above me was... Yeah, earth.

I found myself on Alicia’s and Levi’s soft bed of cotton and flowers.

Wait, how did I get here? My memories are all hazy. Did I get drunk on deer’s blood again? Oh, wait; I’ve never been drunk on deer’s blood before.

But what was I doing before now?

Mhm... Talking with Jorō so I slept off?

Ad I pondered, my eyes drifted to the other person in the left side of the bed...

Bina was using my arm as a pillow - she’s so close...

She smells really nice, and despite her tomboyish nature, she was surprisenly soft (I meant her cheek, please).

But Bina was really cute, huh?

Ah, first things first-

Deep breaths...

(PLATFORM!!)

{Good morning, Master.}

(Ah, yes. Good morning... Except I suddenly remembered why I fainted! So tell me... I’m I still...?)

{...Indeed, Master. You are still a pure maiden.}

(Yaaaay!! Thank goodness - also, be careful: I’m not a "maiden." Ah, so you punished that molester for me?)

{I... did.}

(Eh? Really? How?)

{A professional never discloses their secret techniques.}

(What?! You cheapskate!)

{...Master...}

(Hm? What? You ready to spill it?)

{I... I only want what’s best for you. I hope you understand?}

(...Platform... pfft!)

{?!}

(Haha! What’s with that emotional crap? It doesn’t suit you! You sound like my parent...! Then again, you probably are.)

{...}

(Haaaah. [Sighing inside my mind] I understand what you meant. You don’t want me to spill it out again, do you?)

{I... do.}

(Ah! Platform is being needy!! Sound the alarm! It’s Ragnarok! Hahaha!)

{Master, you seem to be having fun.}

(Eep! S-Sorry. I meant, we’re eternal partners... Or more like you’re the naggy manager, but still—you know I’m literally a lost fool without your guidance. I’ve come this far only because you’re always tolerating my nonsense, so... Keep tolerating me, literally! Kukuk—!!)

{Thank you, Master!}

(Eh?!)

{I’ll continue to be in your service!}

"...AH, S-SOMEONE HELP! SOMETHING HAPPENED TO PLATFORM!! SCARY!! JUST GO BACK TO YOUR ABUSING MODE! THIS ONE IS TOO OMINOUS! Not that I’m a masochist or anything, BUT I CAN’T SEEM TO—"

"Platform? Who’s that?"

"..."

Ah.

I woke Bina.

WAIT!!

I... I hope I don’t normally slip and speak to Platform aloud!

Knowing the likes of Alicia, she probably won’t even tell me, and just think I’m the weird guy who talks to himself!

I better set things straight with Bina right now!

"Uhm! Bina, I wasn—"

"So Master Ruben also has little friends no one else can see!"

"..."

"Wow. I never would’ve known."

"..."

"I also have a few: Pepe, Nappi, Feli, and some others who come and go. But really, I’m happy I’m not alone; I was beginning to think I was weird... Master Ruben?"

"..."

I... don’t know how to feel right now.

Anyway, let’s use [ignore]!

"Good morning, Bina." I patted her head.

She smiled at me, eyes as cute as a bunny. "Morning, Master Ruben!"

Why are we in the same bed, anyway?

Meh, I’ll investigate later. For now:

"It’s time to head toward the human settlement... and brush my teeth!!"

"Ehehe. Master Ruben, how gross."

Kyaaahhhhh!

I’m being called gross by Bina of all people!

I tried to get out of bed, but Bina was still clutching my waist, saying we should sleep some more.

I worry for her future.

Nevertheless, I left and went to find Levi and Alicia playing with Flora down a hill some distance away from camp.

Hehe. I’m glad they get along well.

I thought I’d see signs of battle or something.

Flora spotted me and began running toward me.

"Papa, don’t fight with Mama again. It’s scary."

What kind of dream did this little one have?!

Well, I was ready for the journey. It had been strained and prolonged for too long.

"Levi..." I turned to her, Flora embracing me as I carried her. "Let’s begin our journey."