Chapter 109
Did I get a little lightheaded? —Leo’s Perspective
After that, Yoti and the others said there was some good beer waiting, so they went ahead, and I watched them leave. I stayed behind, soaking in the hot spring alone, continuing my thoughts at a slow, relaxed pace.
The sudden appearance of miasma in the lake was troubling.
It wasn’t like the Tori Forest, which was a nest for monsters…
What could have caused it?
The cause of miasma hasn’t been fully understood yet, but for it to suddenly appear in a place where no monster nests exist is rare.
Surely it wasn’t the appearance of a monster with extraordinary power… something like a demon…
“…That can’t be. The demons were wiped out long ago.”
This country once had demons and their king—the Demon King.
But that was over a thousand years ago.
It’s said that it was after that time that the first Saint was born in this land. That first Saint purified the Demon King.
Since then, roughly once every hundred years, a Saint is born in this country to protect its peace.
From the records I’ve read, there hasn’t been any mention of demons or a Demon King appearing again.
“I’m overthinking this… I should get out soon.”
Anyway, nothing will start until I actually go to that place.
Thinking that, I changed into the bathrobe the Count’s household had prepared for me and stepped out of the changing room.
“—Ah, Leo-san.”
“Sybel-chan.”
Just then, I ran into Sybel-chan, who had come out of the women’s bath at the same time.
“Sybel-chan, you just got out too?”
“Y-Yes… Elga-san went up first, but the hot spring felt so good that I stayed in a little longer.”
“Same here.”
“W-Well…”
Somehow, Sybel-chan’s face looked a little flushed.
She seemed a little dazed; perhaps she’d gotten a little lightheaded.
“Are you okay? I’ll walk you back to your room.”
“Eh? …Thank you, I’d like that.”
“Alright.”
I took Sybel-chan’s warm hand, still a little heated, and guided her to the room the servants had shown us earlier.
Even in a bathrobe like mine, Sybel-chan looked incredibly cute.
She’s always cute, but I’d never seen her like this.
I’m glad I stayed behind.
“—We’re here. Rest well tonight to prepare for tomorrow.”
“Thank you… Um, Leo-san!”
“Hm?”
I was about to return to my own room after seeing her safely to hers, but…
“Could we talk a little?”
“Ah… of course.”
“Then, please!”
She invited me into her room, so I accepted, deciding to spend a little time alone together.
“Are you worried about tomorrow?”
“…Huh?”
I asked Sybel-chan, who was still a little dazed and staring at me.
“It’s understandable. It’ll be your first time purifying miasma. But I’m sure you’ll do fine. And we’re with you too.”
“Eh, y-Yes! That’s true… Thank you…!”
Her reaction wasn’t what I expected, and I wondered if that dazed look was from something else.
“Did you get lightheaded? Are you feeling unwell?”
“Eh?”
“Drink some water, lie down—”
“No…! That’s not it!”
Sybel-chan grabbed my bathrobe as I stood to pour water from the pitcher on the table into a glass.
“?”
“Well… Leo-san, you look so wonderful in your bathrobe… I thought I’d like to burn the image into my mind a little longer before going to sleep…”
“Eh?”
Blushing and fidgeting, Sybel-chan confessed this.
“I’m sorry for keeping you while you’re tired…!”
“Ah, so that’s it. You could’ve just said so.”
“But… tomorrow is such an important mission…”
“If it makes you happy, you’ll likely be able to perform your Saint’s powers even better. So there’s no need to hold back.”
“Well… how indulgent of me.”
I sat down next to her again, and Sybel-chan smiled softly, clearly happy.
She’s honest, and truly adorable.
“You’re already engaged, and I really love you, Sybel-chan. So it’s fine if you want to be a little selfish or indulgent, you know?”
“Oh… no, this is more than enough. It’s a treat for the eyes. Thank you so much…”
I’m genuinely happy when she wants this from me too.
And—
“I also think you look really cute in a bathrobe, Sybel-chan.”
“Well…”
“Being here with you like this makes me happy.”
“Leo-san…”
I wish we could sleep together in the same room like this.
But we’re not married yet, and this is the Count of Myukke’s household.
Our wedding date is already set, so there’s no need to rush.
“Thank you. I feel like I’ll be able to demonstrate tremendous power tomorrow!”
“Haha, that’s reassuring. But for now, rest well tonight to prepare.”
“Yes. Thanks to you, Leo-san, I think I’ll have a good dream.”
“Me too.”
“Well…”
I placed a kiss on Sybel-chan’s forehead, said “good night” properly, and finally left the room.
