That night, Milora tossed and turned under her covers, unable to get comfortable.
What are Torina and Patty doing in bed right now? (They… they’re not secretly holding hands under the covers, are they? Ugh…) Milora had no idea just how innocent her own thoughts were.
———————
Meanwhile, after a round of fooling around, Patty’s fingertips were all wrinkled from being soaked in Torina’s saliva.
“Captain, you really are like a beast…” Patty knelt on the bed, hugging a pillow to cover herself, looking pitiful, her face as red as a glowing tomato.
“It was just biting your fingers, that’s all.
Done now, right? Go to sleep.”
Torina didn’t care at all, pulling the blanket over herself and closing her eyes.
She’d thought that with the kind of play Patty suggested, at the very least it would be something you’d only see in a members-only restaurant, but this? This? It was so childish.
“Women who just toss people aside after having their fun are the worst…” Patty muttered.
“Go to sleep.
We have work tomorrow.”
“Mm…” Patty nodded and crawled under the covers too.
This cold, casual conversation after the deed was just like a fire-and-forget hookup…
The next morning—
As soon as Torina opened the door after getting up, she saw Milora with dark circles under her eyes.
The look of grievance in her eyes made Torina feel a mysterious sense of guilt.
“Morning, Milora.”
“You two, last night, nothing happened, right…”
“Nope, we’re just a pure fake couple, nothing could possibly happen.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.”
“Really really…?” Milora tilted her head and peeked into the room—
“Ugh~~~~ Last night was so exhausting.”
Patty, with her clothes all messy and one shoulder bare, sat up lazily on the bed, stretching with a big yawn.
Her flat chest couldn’t hold up the oversized pajamas, so a lot of skin was visible through the drooping collar, which somehow made it even more suggestive.
“………!” Milora frowned, and Patty noticed her too.
“Oh? Milora, you’re here? Good morning~”
“Uh, good morning… what exactly happened between you two last night?”
“Nothing much, just—” Patty gave a wry smile and raised her hand, showing her fingers.
“—My fingers got all wrinkled from Torina soaking them ❤️”
BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Mushroom King’s greatsword whizzed past Patty’s face and embedded itself deep in the wall! The sudden increase in gravity made all the furniture in the room creak, and Patty was pinned to the bed as if by an invisible giant hand!
“Say.
That.
Again…?”
Maybe it was the gravity, but every word Milora spoke felt like a nail being hammered into your heart.
“Ah, so scary, I was just joking.”
Patty made a surrender pose, lying flat on the bed.
“…Really?”
“Really.” Torina quickly cut in.
“Really really?”
“Really really.”
“…Alright, sorry, I overreacted.
Um, just deduct the cost of fixing the inn wall from my salary.”
Milora calmed down a bit, gravity returned to normal, and the greatsword flew back into her hand.
She went downstairs for breakfast first.
Patty climbed off the bed, put her hands together and stuck out her tongue at her, not clear if she was apologizing or just being cute.
Torina let out a sigh of relief, then immediately glared at Patty, actually a little angry.
“Don’t say stuff that makes people misunderstand on purpose!”
“Eh? But I was telling the truth.”
“Selective truth is just a fancy kind of lie.”
“So sharp.
Anyway, sorry, it’s just that Milora is so pure and cute, I couldn’t help but tease her.”
“…What if she hadn’t dodged and that sword went through your head and killed you?”
“Then I’d just die~” Patty joked lightly, flipping off the bed to get dressed.
Torina just watched her.
“What is it, Captain, staring at me like that~”
“…Nothing, just thinking you’re pretty interesting.”
“Hehe, no one’s ever called me interesting before.”
————————
————————
Today, it’s still dungeon runs.
Patty’s family is still tagging along to watch.
The goal this time is still to clear some daily guild quests, kill a few mobs, and collect some monster materials.
Kaer Morhen Fortress has a special feature: the colorful fluids dropped by monsters here can be processed into top-quality pigments.
Paper soaked in this pigment becomes smooth and tough, and paintings made with it don’t fade over time—so it’s widely used for making cards.
In this world, the tabletop game “Kanter Cards” is all the rage among humans, played by men, women, and children alike.
Kanter Cards made with pigment from Kaer Morhen not only feel great and are easy to preserve, but the colors are also brighter and more vivid, making the card industry the most important local income source after tourism.
“Pretty good haul today.”
Torina picked up the bottles and jars filled with all kinds of liquids.
This should be enough to print dozens of high-end decks.
“Good job, Torina~” Patty stood on tiptoe and rubbed her face against Torina’s, just like Milora did, making Torina feel awkward.
Milora, watching from the side, was so mad she bit her handkerchief—oh, no handkerchief, so she had to bite her greatsword instead.
The mushrooms growing on the sword tasted great, nom nom.
During break time, Patty’s family chatted with them.
“Torina, you’re amazing~ Watching you fight makes me feel so safe!” Patty’s peer named Aiko seemed especially interested in Torina.
“You use rune magic, right? I’ve heard so much about it, it’s incredible.”
Owen praised the runes.
“Is your swordsmanship a family tradition? It’s really impressive.”
Eileen was more interested in the swordplay, her eyes full of admiration.
Torina didn’t really respond to their string of compliments, just kept a calm smile, then casually said,
“Uncle, Auntie, you’re all very interested in my combat skills? I thought elves were a peace-loving race.”
“Because we want our daughter’s partner to at least be someone who can protect her.” “Otherwise, we’d never feel comfortable letting her go.”
“Well, strength is important, but in my opinion—” Torina suddenly hugged Patty and planted a big kiss on her soft cheek, “What matters most is loving each other! Right, Patty?”
“Yeah! That’s right, look how in love we are~” Patty responded enthusiastically, giving Torina a big kiss on the cheek too.
Milora’s eye twitched, but she just took a big bite of mushroom and held it in.
“So, loving couples shouldn’t always be fighting.
How about we go on a date?”
“…A date?”
“Yes!” Torina excitedly pulled a flyer out of her bag—
“Zhiweidun Kanter Card Masters Invitational, grand opening!”
“Zhiweidun is hosting a Kanter Card masters tournament right now.
There are tons of events in the city, it’s the perfect time for a couple’s date.
Want to play a thrilling game of Kanter Cards?”
“No one in the whole Elven Forest has ever beaten me!” Owen reflexively blurted out—then shut up immediately when Eileen glared at him.
