Chapter 192: 80%

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༺ 80% ༻

"Hmm…"

A cozy atmosphere emanated from the wooden ceiling when I opened my eyes.

"…Meow."

"Hoot…"

In addition, a cat doll nestled within my pajama pocket, purring softly, while Serena's white owl was dozing off by the window.

'Now that I've had a quick look at the sub-heroines, should I take a break once I meet Aishi? No, I should also keep an eye on the Church… but I also should visit the Western Continent at least once.'

As I stared intently at the scene that I had become accustomed to these days, I began mentally organizing the tasks I needed to complete during this vacation. I then got up from my seat.

"Kania."

As usual, I called Kania, but…

"Hm?"

For some reason, she didn't open the door, so I tilted my head in confusion.

"Strange, hasn't she come back home yet?"

Normally, even when I called Kania by the first syllable of her name, "Ka," she would open the door right away. If I had finished calling all the syllables of her name and she still didn't show up, it meant she wasn't at home.

Or perhaps something had happened.

"Come to think of it, she wasn't home yesterday either."

As I suddenly realized that she hadn't been home yesterday either, I started to feel worried and began to get up from my seat.

"Meow…"

However, the cat doll sitting in my pajama pocket, hunched over, gently wrapping its tail around my arm while making a pitiful sound.

"What's this feeling?"

Today, as I looked at the pitiful doll, I couldn't help but think of Kania, who had given it to me.

It couldn't be anything serious, right?

– Knock, knock, knock.

As I thought about this, I was holding the cat doll in my arms when someone knocked on the door.

"Kania?"

I threw the question with a slightly relieved expression, but as the door swung open, the person who entered the room wasn't Kania.

"H-hello…?"

It was Irina, her face flushed bright red.

"I-Irina?"

She looked like she wanted to hide in a mouse hole immediately.

"What's… going on?"

I noticed that she was wearing the maid uniform I had given her a long time ago, but it had undergone quite an unconventional transformation. .

Well, to be precise, the clothes themselves weren't that unconventional.

It was just that Irina had always worn baggy clothes and a cloak, concealing her body entirely. So when she wore this type of clothing, it made her appear more revealing.

"I, I've told you, haven't I?"

While I was momentarily lost in thought, Irina swallowed nervously and started talking to me.

"I won't let you pretend to be indifferent anymore."

Hearing that, I quickly covered myself with the blanket and slightly raised my head to ask a question.

"Uh, Irina. What's going on here? What's with the sudden change in clothes, and why are you here?"

"…Just a moment."

When Irina cautiously waved her finger, the door opened automatically, and a covered plate floated in.

"I-I came to bring breakfast."

Holding the plate and approaching me, Irina opened the lid, revealing the breakfast she had prepared.

"I-I tried making it for the first time… How is it?"

The plate contained a delicious-looking omelet and milk with frothy bubbles. It wasn't my usual breakfast, but it was a suitable morning meal.

"I-I wasn't confident in making sandwiches… and they might be too light. Coffee isn't good for the body, right? So, I prepared this… D-do you like it?"

Irina, who had been anxiously awaiting my reaction, blushed as she asked.

"…Thank you."

Looking at the dog-shaped omelet and heart-shaped patterns she drew, I smiled slightly and replied.

"But, you knew how to do all this? I thought you could only cook meat dishes…"

"I-I can cook too. I can cook at least as well as that sneaky girl… I mean, as well as Kania. So, you can ask me for anything from now on."

All I did was ask a question that had suddenly occurred to me, but Irina answered in a huff.

"Hiss…!"

"Oh, right. Speaking of which, where's Kania?"

Only now did I remember Kania, who had crossed my mind earlier. I asked while holding the cat that was hissing, and Irina, who had been quietly glaring at the cat, opened her mouth.

"Kania is currently in the Western Continent."

"The Western Continent!?"

I exclaimed, startled by this revelation, but Irina quickly added.

"You don't have to worry about her. She went with the Imperial Investigation Team."

"The Imperial Investigation Team?"

"Yes, but it's not just an ordinary Imperial Investigation Team. It consists of Clana's attendants."

What was going on? Why did Clana suddenly send an Imperial Investigation Team to the Western Continent, and why did Kania have to go with them?

"The reason is simple. They plan to intercept the information about the artifacts in the Western Continent before the Demon King or the Church obtains it."

When I asked Irina these questions, she began to explain.

"We're trying to locate previously undiscovered artifacts using the knowledge from the previous cycle, seize the artifacts and information, and then feed false information to the Church and Demon King."

"Hmm…"

"For the artifacts that the Church already possesses… Kania and Clana's attendants will handle them."

After hearing Irina's explanation, I could somewhat understand Kania's decision to go to the Western Continent because no one was better suited for such a task.

But there were still a few questions left lingering on my mind.

"Why didn't you ask me to use the Demon King's army and pretend to be the Demon King?"

"Because we can't issue them detailed orders that way. So far, everything they've brought back has been worthless antiques. Besides, the Demon King's Chief of Staff still has suspicions about you, right?"

"That's true."

I nodded in agreement with Irina's plausible explanation, but then furrowed my brow and asked another question.

"I understand that, but… why did you proceed with such a major operation without me?"

"…Are you asking because you really don't know?"

Upon hearing my question, Irina sighed briefly and pointed at me.

"Obviously, if we had disclosed such a fact, you would have forced yourself to participate in the plan and head to the Western Continent."

"That's…"

"From the second year onward, things will become more difficult. Therefore, you should take as much rest as possible during this vacation."

Irina sat close to me as she said this.

"Don't worry too much. Serena is overseeing it personally. Don't overthink it; you just need to rest."

She whispered as she extended a spoonful of omelet towards me.

"…Haub."

"Is it tasty?"

"Nom, nom…"

In an unguarded moment, I opened my mouth and accepted the omelet from Irina. I nodded in response to her question while she stared at me with a peculiar look.

"Hehe."

Then, Irina lowered her head slightly and let out a proud laugh.

"For a while… I'll be serving you."

She held the omelet up again and looked at me as she spoke.

"Once it's my time to join the others, Clana will return from the Western Continent to take care of you."

"C-Clana? But for what reason…?"

"…There is a convincing reason to visit this house; she can claim she is here to fulfill her duties as an engagement candidate."

While uttering these words with a cold expression, Irina offered me another spoonful.

"Kania will come last. This is her punishment for daring to provoke us that way… or, well, that's how we decided. As I described earlier, we will take turns serving you until the end of the vacation…"

"Meow…!""

"Shut up."

While feeding me the omelet, she spoke with a cold look when she heard the cat's meowing.

"Frey, there's something strange about that cat. May I examine it?"

"Meow!!"

"See? It feels like there is a strange energy coming from it. Let me run some tests. It'll be quick."

It seemed like Irina really disliked cats. Was it because she liked puppies?

– Ssk…

As I entertained that thought and gently stroked the cat's head as it peeked out from inside my clothes, I smiled faintly and spoke.

"It's because Kania created this cat doll with dark magic. Since it is cute, don't dislike it too much."

"…Ah."

At the same time, Irina, who had been staring blankly at the cat with its tongue sticking out, suddenly asked a question.

"Do you dislike dogs?"

She suddenly asked such a question.

"Uh, well…"

"Dogs are just as cute as cats. So, please love them too. Don't just treat your human pet well or that cat."

As I hesitated in my response, Irina, who had been sitting closely beside me, picked up the cat that was crouching in my arms and continued mumbling.

"Why do you like such an ominous-looking cat? A bright and lively dog is a hundred times better… Ouch!"

Irina, her finger bitten by the cat doll, stared at the little doll as it quickly retreated and hid behind me.

"Pfft."

Watching this scene, I couldn't help but laugh.

At the beginning of this year, I had never imagined such a simple and happy daily life. I thought I had to fight alone until the end.

Although I did suffer a penalty that severely affected my health, right now, I'm…

"Are you happy, Frey?"

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Irina's expression became serious, and she asked me a question.

"I'm asking sincerely. Are you feeling happy right now?"

Upon hearing that question, I closed my eyes and briefly fell into a trance.

"…It seems like it."

With a faint smile, I leaned my head on Irina's shoulder, who was sitting beside me.

"Even though many difficult challenges await us in the future…"

I whispered in a low voice.

"At least, in this moment, it feels like happiness."

With those words, I leaned on Irina briefly and closed my eyes before smiling.

"Uh, huhu…"

"…..?"

Suddenly, Irina started to fidget nervously .

"W-we made a promise. It's not the right time yet…"

"Irina?"

"F-Frey."

As I looked at her with concern, Irina held my hand.

"I-I may not know about other things, but… you know I believe in myself more than the other four, right? After all, you know I'm the most exceptional one, right?"

"…..?"

"T-therefore… in the end, please choose me. I'll do my best to make you feel good…"

Her eyes wandered as she spoke while holding my hand against her chest.

"Hooott!!!"

"…Heiik!"

Just then, an owl that had been dozing by the window suddenly opened its eyes and flew over to my shoulder, startling me.

"A-alright, alright, I get it."

After a while, the owl gave us a stern look and shook its head. Irina pouted, lowering her head.

"Hoot."

The owl, which had been staring at Irina, eventually handed me an envelope.

"What's this?"

I opened the envelope and found a letter along with a white ring.

– It's a couple ring. I'll prepare a proper wedding ring later.

As I read the letter, wondering what its contents were, I noticed Serena's neat handwriting.

– You can decide which finger and hand you wish to put it on.

"...."

I continued to read the letter in silence.

"But this…"

Staring at the white ring shimmering in my hand, I murmured with a trembling voice.

"…Isn't this a purity stone?"

The first couple's ring I had received from Serena appeared to be made from a purity stone.

Where did she manage to get a purity stone?

– Ding!

As I wondered about this and slipped the ring onto my finger, a system window suddenly appeared in front of me.

[Sub-Heroines Conquest]

Isolet Arham Bywalker

[Conquest Progress: 79%]

Details…

"This is driving me nuts."

Within just a few hours, the Conquest Progress for Isolet had significantly increased.

What exactly had been happening with Isolet over the past few days?

.

.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

"I've checked everywhere, but there really is no sign of sorcery!"

"…Is that so?"

"Yes! I, Ferloche, can vouch for it!"

After diagnosing Isolet, who was lying on the bed, Ferloche said with enthusiasm.

"Ehm, hmm. Anyway, Professor."

Beside Ferloche, the bishop of the Sun God Church, who had been quietly clearing his throat, spoke up.

"What are your thoughts on the proposal we presented last time?"

He asked Isolet, who was looking at herself discontentedly.

"I'm certain I sent the letter requesting only Ferloche's presence."

"Regardless of personal matters, it's only natural for the Church to accompany the Saintess in her activities. That's what we should be doing…"

"Let's put a halt to that conversation."

As the conversation was about to lengthen, Isolet abruptly interrupted and quietly asked a question in a low voice.

"So, does the Youngest Paladin truly admire me?"

"Yes, Professor. With your permission I hope she can receive training under your guidance as soon as possible…"

Upon hearing this, the bishop started explaining with a slight smile.

"…Let me think about it a bit more."

When Isolet replied in such a manner, the bishop frowned slightly.

"Why are you delaying your answer like this? It shouldn't be such a difficult decision. Besides, given your current circumstances, it would be unusual to decline, wouldn't it?"

Upon hearing the bishop's complaint, Isolet said.

"It's not just about having a disciple… If I take on an exclusive disciple…"

Isolet calmly stroked the beloved sword Frey had given her as she muttered.

"…In various ways, I feel like it would be distressing for my heart."

"I see."

After hearing this, he began to persuade her with a gentle expression.

"Perhaps you'll change your mind once you meet her in person. I'll bring her to visit you soon."

"She'll also participate in the upcoming 'Verification Ceremony' and join the 'Hero's Party'… Oops, that was meant to be confidential. Anyway, she has a promising future."

"…"

"Moreover, she's bright, energetic, and pure. Having someone like her around could be quite beneficial to someone as renowned as you, known for being a solitary swordsman…"

"Now that our business is over, why don't you take your leave?"

However, Isolet turned to her side and laid down as she spoke.

"…I will come to visit you again soon."

"Goodbye~!"

The bishop and Ferloche had no choice but to leave her room.

"...…."

For a long while, Isolet maintained her silence.

"A promising future, bright and full of vitality, pure…"

Eventually, she murmured with a despondent tone .

"…I've encountered this type of person before, haven't I?"

At that very moment, Frey's system window displayed Isolet's Conquest Progress at 80%.

You can read 505 episodes for $10. p.*atreon.com/Astrid02