Volume 4 Chapter 107: Prohibited Approach Period

I turned back from the Miners’ Town and stood before the gates of the luxurious and elegant mansion that served as the party house for Spirit of the Wind.

In one hand, I held a paper bag that supposedly contained a gift from Master, and in the other, the keys to the mansion that Kreis-san had entrusted to me—one for the gate and one for the front door. I glanced up at the windows, their warm light spilling into the evening air, and let out a small sigh.

According to Kreis-san, the Spirit of the Wind party house was constantly watched by spirits. However, if someone entered using the proper key, the spirits wouldn’t react, as it wouldn’t count as trespassing. Elle had instructed the spirits to repel intruders and report their presence, but since spirits couldn’t distinguish minor differences between humans who weren’t Forestfolk, they operated under the assumption that anyone entering legitimately wasn’t a threat.

If these were the spirits under Elle’s direct command, it might be a different story. But the wild spirits apparently only worked as much as they were “paid” in mana from Elle. I’d even heard that they sometimes slacked off when in a bad mood. They were carefree and independent—it made them oddly likable.

This had me curious, and I resolved to ask Elle more about the spirits next time.

Still…

“I’m not suspicious, I swear,” I murmured, raising both hands cautiously as I stepped onto the property.

After standing still for a moment to ensure nothing happened, I breathed a sigh of relief. Picking up the paper bag I had set down, I began walking along the stone-paved path leading from the gate to the mansion.

The garden, illuminated by antique-style lamps at waist height, was as meticulously maintained as ever. The neatly trimmed blue grass, the rounded shrubs, and the intricately carved fountain quietly spouting water created a serene atmosphere.

The one thing that stood out was the pond in one corner of the garden. It occupied a significant amount of space and had apparently been rebuilt by Elle after Fiona destroyed it. Honestly, it seemed unnecessary.

This is Elist, after all—a city known as the City of Water. Canals flow everywhere outside the gates. While not every waterway is suitable for fishing, there’s no real reason to have a pond on the property. It might work as part of the scenery, but building it specifically for fishing seems pointless.

Since that incident, I hadn’t used the fishing pond once. Was it just going to stay like this forever?

Lost in thought, I soon reached the mansion’s entrance. Using the keys Kreis-san had given me, I unlocked the massive wooden double doors and pushed them open.

“Excuse me,” I called out as I stepped inside.

This was my first time entering the mansion alone.

Master, unable to face Mina directly, wasn’t here. Kreis-san, meanwhile, had laughed and said, “If I come along, Mina will just get grumpy! Hahaha!” and left me to it. That logic made sense, so I couldn’t argue.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure why I had to visit at all. But when Master pleaded with me, I couldn’t refuse. He was clearly worried sick about his daughter—a classic doting parent.

Well, Mina often helped me out, and I understood how lonely it could feel when unwell. If there was anything I could do for her, I wanted to try. Still, I didn’t feel like the most appropriate person for the task.

Besides, if Elle and Sophie thought Mina’s condition mild enough to leave her alone, it couldn’t be that serious.

“What should I do…”

I debated whether this visit was even necessary. Was I just being a nuisance?

Despite coming all the way here, I was seriously considering turning back. Mina would probably be fine. I could just go fishing instead.

“…Maybe I’ll just check on her, drop this off, and then go fishing.”

After a moment of hesitation at the entrance, I decided to head toward Mina’s room. I couldn’t ignore Master’s request, especially after coming all this way and with the gift in hand.

Besides, I was a little worried about Mina. She was probably fine, but if her condition worsened, it would be a problem. At the very least, I should check on her and hand over the gift. If she seemed alright, I could leave and report back to Master. Then I’d have the rest of the day to myself.

“Hm?”

Just as I was about to walk forward, I glanced back.

I thought I felt someone’s gaze on me, but all I saw was the closed front door.

This was the Spirit of the Wind party house. No one could enter so easily.

“…Must’ve been my imagination,” I muttered, shaking my head and heading deeper into the entrance hall.

Mina’s room was on the second floor, but instead of taking the grand staircase in the main hall, I walked through the double doors that led to the hallways beyond.

Walking straight down this corridor would lead to the grand bathhouse, but it was quicker to reach the second floor using the stairs near the bathhouse. Spending a month in this mansion had given me a good sense of its layout.

As I briskly walked through the long corridor and passed by the bathhouse entrance—

“…”

“…”

I ran into Mina just as she was stepping out of the grand bathhouse.

Her eyes went wide, and the towel around her neck slipped off.

For a moment, my brain completely froze.

Mina’s hair was glistening with moisture, her cheeks flushed—clearly fresh from the bath. Naturally, I suppose.

Her outfit, likely due to being alone in the mansion, was alarmingly casual—a black camisole and underwear.

In the next instant, without any hesitation, I dropped to the floor and pressed my head against it.

“I sincerely apologize!!”

I poured all my heartfelt regret into that apology. I swear it wasn’t intentional—I’m really, really sorry.

“W-Why…?”

“I heard you weren’t feeling well! I realize this might be presumptuous of me, but I thought I’d bring you something to cheer you up!”

“P-Please, stop… why…?”

I couldn’t see her expression since my face was still against the floor, but something felt off.

Normally, Mina would be far more… energetic. But her voice now lacked its usual vigor. Instead, it sounded weak—fragile, even. Could her condition have worsened?

“Mina… are you okay?”

“Ugh…”

Worried, I asked, only to hear her weakly groan and collapse—or so it seemed.

This might actually be bad.

Resolving myself, I cautiously raised my head.

Just my head. Only her face. I wouldn’t look anywhere else. You can do this, Noil Arlens.

“I… I’m not okay…”

“…”

Seeing her, I was struck speechless. My mouth hung open like an idiot as I stared.

Her tear-filled eyes shimmered, her cheeks flushed a deep red. Her slightly parted lips let out faint, uneven breaths. Strands of her wet hair clung to her face, and her brows knitted together in a way that made her look as if she might cry at any moment.

It was a fragile expression, completely unlike the strong-willed Mina I knew. And yet, all of it exuded a kind of allure that made me want to reach out to her.

Clearly, something was wrong with her. That much was obvious.

But what was this?

This wasn’t just a simple illness. And why was my heart pounding so fast just from seeing her like this?

This is bad.

No, this is really bad.

If this keeps up, I’ll lose it too.

In my moment of panic, I desperately thought of Mar-chan, my beloved, to ground myself. Somehow, drawing on her memory, I managed to tear my gaze away from Mina’s entrancing eyes.

Awkwardly, I held out the paper bag toward her.

“Uh… um, this… uh…”

No good—my brain wasn’t working properly.

Handing her a bag with no explanation would only confuse her. I needed to say it was a get-well gift.

“What… is this?”

But before I could speak, her faint voice reached my ears and rattled me again.

As I avoided her gaze, I felt her take the bag from me.

The sound of rustling paper reached my ears as she opened it.

“Huh? Th-this… Did you… know? Did you plan… for this?”

“Uh… yeah.”

After a brief silence, she asked in a trembling voice, and I nodded.

Focusing on thoughts of Mar-chan had calmed me down a little.

I didn’t know what was in the bag—I hadn’t looked. But Master, Mina’s father, had prepared it. Surely it was something she needed right now.

I came here knowing she wasn’t well, intending to deliver it to her.

“This… This isn’t okay… Elle will…”

“I’ll explain it to Elle properly.”

“!?”

I heard a gasp of surprise, but come on, at least let me handle that much.

Sure, if Elle found out I’d locked her away to visit Mina, it would cause trouble. But if I explained it was just a get-well visit, she’d understand.

“Are you… serious? Even if it’s not just Elle…”

“Well, it’ll be tough, but we’ll get through it together.”

“!?”

Mina would probably get scolded too.

Forget Elle; everyone else would definitely be relentless.

“Are you sure… it’s okay… with me?”

“There’s no one but you, Mina.”

“!?”

Sadly, Mina’s probably the only one who’d face this kind of unreasonable blame.

“Besides, Mina…”

“W-What…?”

“If no one finds out, it’s fine.”

“!?”

If I kept quiet, the chances of anyone finding out about this visit were slim.

“Will you… take responsibility?”

“…”

“!?”

“Uh, yes.”

“!?”

Oh no. My disdain for the word “responsibility” triggered an involuntary reaction.

But in this case, Mina wasn’t at fault at all. Whether it’s about responsibility or not, I’ll do everything I can to support her.

“I understand… hey?”

“Hm?”

“Can you… take me to my room?”

“Why?”

“!?”

I mean, I could, but… right now, I can’t even look at Mina directly. This would be a tough challenge. My ironclad self-control might not survive.

“Can’t you just… use what’s in the bag here?”

“Of course not! Not here!”

“Are you sure?”

“!?”

“…Well, I guess I don’t have a choice.”

If Mina, even in her current state, insisted on being taken to her room, it couldn’t be helped.

Steady yourself. You can do this. It’s time, ironclad self-control. This time it’s not a sneak attack, so hold strong.

I turned my back to Mina, crouched down, and extended my arms.

“Alright, climb on.”

“…What are you doing?”

But Mina didn’t climb onto my back.

“Huh? I’m giving you a piggyback ride.”

“!?”

You asked me to take you, didn’t you…?

“T-That’s not what I meant! In times like this…”

“Huh?”

“…A… princess carry…”

“!?”

That’s… quite the high bar.

A princess carry? With the overly alluring, practically underwear-clad Mina? What kind of mental training is this?

And Mina, are you sure you’re okay with this? I’m a guy, you know. This is dangerous, seriously.

“I’ve always… dreamed of it…”

“Stop talking.”

“!?”

I’m trying to achieve a state of total calm here. Saying something adorable like that messes with my focus.

Exhaling slowly, I centered myself, calming my mind. Keeping a composed expression, I turned back to Mina.

To stay calm, I had to start with my face.

“A…”

Then, with swift but gentle movements, I scooped her up in a princess carry.

Mina trembled for a moment before wrapping her arms around my neck.

Too close, too close, too close—this is bad, really bad.

I could hear Mina’s soft breaths, smell her faint, sweet scent. Her tearful eyes gazed up at me, shimmering. Damn it, I wanted to hold her. Mar-chan, save me.

Why was Mina so ridiculously alluring today? And why was I, of all days, so caught up in these thoughts?

…Wait. Huh?

Could it be that the presence of Sextet was somehow affecting the performance of my ironclad self-control? Was that why I was like this today—?

“…Let’s get going,” I muttered, keeping my expression calm as I hastily made my way to Mina’s room.

◇

I… won.

I defeated myself.

After safely making it to Mina’s room and laying her down on her bed, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

It had only been a short walk, but to me, it felt like an endless journey with no destination in sight.

But I did it.

Now, all that awaited me was the fun, relaxing fishing I’d been looking forward to. Tonight was going to be great.

In the dimly lit room, illuminated only by the soft glow of a lamp, Mina lay sprawled on the bed in an almost tantalizingly provocative way, gazing at me with hazy eyes. What on earth was up with her today? Well, whatever it was, Master’s gift should fix it.

If I stayed by Mina’s side any longer, I might genuinely lose control.

Time to get out of here.

“Well, Mina…”

“Yeah… Here, take this,” she said, handing me the paper bag as I turned to leave.

Caught off guard, I instinctively took it. But why was she giving it back to me?

“Wait, isn’t this for you?”

“I don’t know how to… put it on,” she murmured, her voice faltering. “If you’re telling me to… I’ll try my best, though…”

“…Huh?”

What did she mean?

Wait, was I supposed to do something with this?

“Excuse me for a moment…”

I peeked inside the bag—and froze.

Without a word, I dropped the bag onto the floor.

Its contents? Contraceptives.

Oh.

So that’s the plan.

Mina’s odd behavior wasn’t due to illness.

No, this wasn’t about being sick—

“Ugh!”

Before I could fully process the shock, Mina suddenly wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me onto the bed.

Our bodies pressed together, and my heart pounded wildly.

Her face was so close, her sweet breath brushing against me. I looked into her hazy, glazed-over eyes, and with a sinking feeling, I realized I was right.

No wonder Elle and the others weren’t interfering.

“Hehe…”

Mina was, quite clearly—
in heat.