Vol 3 Chapter 19: The Mischievous Fairies’ Gift

“──Luppo♪”

“Eh, really!?”

Freed from the intensity of earlier events, I lay my pleasantly exhausted body on the cool white stone floor, resting my head on Lena’s soft thighs.

Her fingers gently combed through my hair, their tender movements offering a unique happiness, completely different from physical pleasure.

“Lena… what did the fairies say?”

“Ah, um, they said, ‘Since you’ve shown us love, we’ll let you leave from here!’”

Finally… Well, I can’t complain since I enjoyed myself too. But still, what kind of fairies are curious enough to want to see humans being intimate?

“Blruruu?”

“Top! Tap!”

“W-Well, just a kiss wouldn’t have been… enough to hold back, you know… Ugh, let’s not talk about this anymore!”

“Shupuu♪”

Lena was talking to the fairies above me, but I couldn’t follow the conversation well. Something about kisses? Well, it’s probably fine.

Eventually, their discussion ended, and the two fairies floated closer to my face.

“Mazomazo♪”

“Rezemp, Pirres♪”

The fairies glowed brightly as they spoke. In a blink, the light disappeared, leaving behind a human-sized… necklace?

“Sorry, Lena. What are they saying?”

With a teasing smirk reminiscent of Nina’s usual antics, Lena hesitated before answering.

“Uh, w-well… um, they’re saying something like, ‘This is a necklace to help cute Shin. Please make good use of it.’”

“…Really?”

“Y-Yeah! Of course!”

Though slightly suspicious, I accepted the necklace from the fairies, who kept their amused expressions.

The cord shimmered with a silvery hue I’d never seen before, and the gem attached to it was completely transparent.

I couldn’t guess its value, but it didn’t seem harmful. I put the necklace around my neck and tucked it under my clothes.

“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”

“Luppo♪”

The fairies fluttered their hands happily in response to my gratitude.

Then, as they moved away, their bodies began to glow once more.

“Teruru♪”

“Lapri♪”

This light was larger and carried an almost divine aura compared to before.

“They’re going to teleport us back to where we came from,” Lena explained.

As she spoke, a strange sensation like floating began to surround me.

“F-Fairies, thank you so much!”

“Yeah, thank you!”

Anticipating what was to come, Lena and I expressed our gratitude. The two tiny figures waved their hands with wistful expressions, as if reluctant to part.

And then—our surroundings changed in an instant.

“Uwah!?”

“Lena! Shin-san…”

“Shin-sama!”

“Ah… thank goodness.”

We found ourselves back in the large hall where we’d fought the golem, leaving the cramped white room behind. The relieved voices of our companions echoed around us.

“We made it back…”

“I’m so glad… It’s all thanks to Shin♪”

As Lena and I sank to the floor, finally able to relax, our companions surrounded us with relieved expressions, bombarding us with rapid questions.

“…Seriously. You had us worried.”

“Absolutely.”

“I’m just relieved both of you are safe.”

“What on earth happened in there?”

“Ah, um, so──”

We explained how we had fallen into the strange underground room, met the fairies, and were brought back. While we avoided mentioning the intimate encounter, I couldn’t shake off the guilt for worrying everyone. Lena, who wore a slightly sheepish expression, likely felt the same.

“──So, nothing happened down there?”

“Y-Yeah! Nothing… n-nothing at all!?”

Fana-san’s teasing gaze was sharp enough to unsettle me, and my response came out flustered. The other members’ subtle, scrutinizing looks didn’t make it any easier.

“Well then! Let’s collect the mithril from the golem! Wow, with this much, we’ll make quite a sum!”

Trying to change the subject, I forced a cheerful tone. Everyone, including Lena, chuckled wryly but followed my lead.

One way or another, the quest was complete. All that was left was to return home. Yes, that was all.

“Be sure to tell me the details when we get back♡”

I pretended not to hear Fana-san’s sweetly whispered words.

By evening, we returned to the guild. When we placed a pile of mithril too large to fit on the counter, the receptionist panicked and hurried off.

Transporting such a large quantity of mithril had been a challenge, but…

“Fufu, thanks to my item box, it was a breeze! You should be grateful, you know?”

Alice’s magical tool made the task manageable. The item box, a device that stores objects in an alternate space and allows retrieval at any time, is incredibly useful. Its capacity varies by individual box, and Alice’s, capable of holding several wagonloads, was clearly a high-quality, expensive item.

Apparently, she had owned it since her time at home and had carefully hidden it from her stepmother’s prying eyes.

“Yeah, it’s all thanks to you, Alice. Thank you.”

Proudly puffing out her chest—far beyond her youthful appearance—Alice looked adorable. I patted her head as one would a child.

“A-Ah… w-well, as long as you understand…”

Her face turned red as she shyly averted her gaze.

“Nishishi, even our spoiled lady can’t win against Shin.”

“Q-Quiet, Nina!”

Watching the two bicker like playful puppies, the rest of us narrowed our eyes, amused by the heartwarming sight.

“──S-Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“H-Hm. Shin-kun and the others… Really, you never fail to surprise me.”

Breathless from hurrying back, the receptionist and the guild master finally returned. Understandable, given the sheer amount of mithril we had brought.

“So, how much is it worth, Guild Master-sama♡?”

Fana-san leaned forward slightly, deliberately emphasizing her chest. Her brazen attempt at seduction was hard to ignore. Despite knowing better, the guild master couldn’t help but steal glances.

“──Guild Master?”

“Y-Yes!”

The receptionist’s icy voice and rigid smile snapped him back to attention. He quickly straightened up, averting his eyes.

While I couldn’t help feeling a bit of sympathy for the guild master, a strange, prickling sensation stirred in my chest.

(──What is this feeling?)

“Ahem! W-We’ll need some time to appraise everything. I’m sorry, but could you come back later?”

“Oh, how unfortunate♡ Well then, I understand. We’ll do that♡”

Despite her sultry tone, Fana-san agreed without showing much disappointment. She sent a fleeting, irresistible glance that could make most men crumble. This person was terrifying in so many ways. I was grateful she was on our side.

“So, what should we do now? I think I’ll stay here for the time being…”

Lena was the first to react to my words as I glanced at the group for input.

“Ah, then I’ll stay too. I’m a bit tired from the quest.”

“I suppose I’ll stay as well.”

“If Lady Alice is staying, then I shall remain by her side.”

Following Lena, Alice and Kaguya-san also decided to stay at the guild. Now, the question was—what should I do?

Soft press.

“Huh?”

“Alright, Shin, I’m borrowing you! Kufufu.”

Before I could decide, a soft sensation pressed against my arm out of nowhere.

“W-Wait, Nina…”

Ignoring my confusion, Nina used surprising strength for her petite frame to drag me toward the exit.

“Nishishi. Don’t worry, don’t worry. I won’t do anything bad♡ C’mon, let’s go.”

“H-Hey! Nina, that’s not fair──”

Leaving behind Lena’s protest, Nina and I dashed out of the guild together.