Chapter 32: A New Land and All Kinds of Trouble

After scouting the surrounding area, we didn’t find any location better suited for living. In the end, the lakeside was the most viable option. So, it was decided—we would build our home here.

Master used earth magic to create the foundation and construction materials, while Kasai-san used those materials to build a fish tank for our carnivorous fish.

Between the magic and the physical labor, Master’s stamina seems to have been completely drained. Lately, he's been unusually quiet, which has made it easier for me to focus on helping with the housework without worry.

That said, I’ve mostly been kneading clay to make tableware and helping Lulu and the others set up fields around the future housing area. Master’s magic lets us fire clay at super high temperatures even without a kiln... It’s incredibly handy.

Even though Master had stockpiled plenty of food and materials, it’s not an endless supply. We don’t have a steady source for restocking either, so we want to become as self-sufficient as possible.

And so, all of us worked together to build a comfortable living environment.

---

During a break in our work, I washed the dried clay off my hands and headed out front for lunch. At the now recognizable construction site, Master and Kasai-san were standing off, wooden swords in hand, staring each other down.

I grabbed the sandwich set aside for me on the outdoor table and joined the group of women watching the showdown.

“What are they doing?”

“It’s a sparring match,” Yuria replied as she munched on her bacon sandwich. Ignoring the dolphin-like Umibuta-wannabe that had crept up beside her, she kept her eyes fixed seriously on the two men preparing to duel.

The clash began quietly, as we all looked on.

Kasai-san suddenly vanished in a cloud of dust, followed by the sound of wooden swords colliding. Judging by the impact, they were going all out. Honestly, I couldn’t see a thing.

But Master calmly blocked the blows, deflecting them while slipping past Kasai-san’s attacks with his whole body. He wasn’t using magic, but he was still strong. He parried those high-speed slashes, which I could barely follow with my eyes, like a willow swaying in the wind... Wait a second?

Master used a break in Kasai-san’s breathing to pull back. It looked like he was just adjusting his range, but his face was unusually tense. Meanwhile, Kasai-san still looked relaxed... Hah. He only looks relaxed—he just hasn’t been able to counterattack at all.

Master is a magic-type. When it comes to magic, he’s insanely strong. But in a pure physical fight, Kasai-san seems to have the upper hand. Taking blow after blow like a storm, Master was forced on the defensive. Eventually, as his attention was drawn to Kasai-san winding up for an overhead strike, the hilt of his sword got kicked, sending it flying.

“That’s enough! The winner—Makoto-san!”

Lulu declared Kasai-san’s victory. Ohhh! That’s the first time I’ve seen Master look frustrated. He’s always dominating with his cheat powers, so it’s eating at him now. Serves you right!

I should tease him while I have the chance.

“You’ve really improved. I guess I can’t beat you with a sword anymore.”

“I haven’t exactly been slacking off. But if you used magic, I wouldn’t stand a chance...”

I crept up behind Master, wooden sword in hand, as he chatted cheerfully.

“For someone who tries to act all cool, you’re surprisingly not that great with a sword, huh, Master?”

“…………”

He glared at me, but I ignored him. No way he’d waste the stamina to deal with me after all this construction work. Plus, there’s no basement here. He’s unarmed. I’ve got nothing to fear.

“I actually have a beginner’s kendo license, you know. If you’d like, I could teach you a thing or two, weak little Master.”

“S-Sora-chan?”

I stepped between him and Kasai-san, toying with my wooden sword while shooting Master a provoking look. He was glaring at me, clearly annoyed, but suddenly his expression turned blank as he looked behind me. What...?

I turned to look, but all I saw was a confused Kasai-san.

“What’s with that face...?”

I must’ve been making a seriously weird expression. I didn’t get it at all. Master covered his mouth with one hand to hide a smirk, then reached out and patted my head... What the hell is this perv trying to pull?

Wait—what are you doing just picking me up like that!? Ack! I dropped my sword!

“Hey! What are you—eek! Stop! You’re all sweaty and gross!”

“Don’t worry. You’re the one I love the most, Sora.”

What the actual hell are you saying!? I don’t understand at all! Just let me go already, your sweat’s sticky and disgusting!

This is bad. If I don’t do something, he’s going to carry me off into the shade again... Anything but that! I have to stop him!

“Well then, sorry to say, but that’s it for today.”

Huh? That’s it...? He just hugged me lightly and let me go that easily... Master gently pats my head as I stand there dumbfounded.

“I’m gonna go wash off. What about you, Makoto?”

“Ah, I’ll come too... but are you okay not going with the girls?”

“I’ve got zero confidence I could keep my composure if I saw her naked right now.”

Why did he let me go so easily... Wait, what am I thinking!? That makes it sound like I’m disappointed! That’s not it—I’m just relieved, that’s all! The tension just... drained out of me, that’s it!

“Well then, see you later, Sora.”

“G-Go enjoy your bath, Master!”

I smiled and turned to head back to the girls when, suddenly, Master leaned in close to whisper into my ear.

“Once you’ve calmed down, I’ll give you lots of affection.”

“Hyaaaaah!?”

His warm breath and those words sent shivers down my spine—from fear, okay!? Seriously, this pervert has no sense of restraint! I bolted straight back to Yuria and the others, where the two of them were waiting... and immediately smothered me in a hug.

“As expected of senpai. He’s a real wildcard, isn’t he?”

“Ojou-sama... You can’t keep him all to yourself, you know?”

Stop that! This is all just a big misunderstanding! What are you even talking about, you pervy cow!?

“Come on, just share a little with the rest of us!”

Let go of me! What’s wrong with you lewd animals!? Can’t you just talk to him directly when things settle down instead of dragging me into it!?

“I’m not dealing with any more of this pervert nonsense!”

“...What are you talking about, Ojou-sama? We just want to talk more with Master too.”

“Yeah yeah, you always get to have all the fun conversations with him, senpai. We’re seriously getting jealous here. ...Wait, could it be you were thinking dirty thoughts just now? You’re totally blushing~”

……D-Don’t tell me—I’ve been played!? They baited me! It was a trap all along! I underestimated them... I never imagined they’d try to mess with my head like this!

“U-Uwaaaaaaaah!!”

“Ah.”

“She ran off!”

That’s it. I’m locking myself in my room. I’m not coming out! I dove into my tent—my makeshift "room"—and curled up in bed. Everyone out there’s an enemy! There’s no safe zone anywhere! I can only rely on myself. If I don’t fight, I won’t survive...!

“Welcome back, Sora.”

As I trembled in bed, firm in my resolve, a beautiful voice called out to me. Cautiously, I peeked out from under the sheets... and there she was again—an adorably sweet girl with soft pink hair, radiating a warm, gentle aura while casually hanging out inside someone else’s tent like it was the most natural thing in the world.

With a healing smile that looked like it could soothe anyone, she approached me with the air of someone who totally gets you. Then, as I continued to tremble, she reached out and gently patted my head while smiling kindly.

“You’ve had it rough, huh? Don’t worry, I’ll make it all better!”

“Noooooooo!!”

---

◇◆ADVENTURE RESULT◆◇

【EXP】

NO BATTLE
◆【Sora Lv.75】
◆【Lulu Lv.30】
◆【Yuria Lv.28】
◇―
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Sora Lv.75 [753]
Lulu Lv.30 [300]
Yuria Lv.28 [282]

【RECORD】

[MAX COMBO] >> 33
[MAX BATTLE] >> 33

【PARTY-1 (Main)】

[Shuya][Lv77] HP1432/1432 MP2530/2530 [Normal]
[Sora][Lv75] HP55/60 MP733/733 [Fatigued]
[Lulu][Lv30] HP735/735 MP36/36 [Normal]
[Yuria][Lv28] HP1540/1540 MP88/88 [Normal]

【PARTY-2 (Sub)】
[Fere][Lv18] HP182/182 MP530/530 [Normal]

【PARTY-3 (Sub)】
[Makoto][Lv34] HP1050/1050 MP123/123 [Normal]
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

【Comment】

“Waaahhh!! I hate everyone! You’re all the worst!!”

“Uh... senpai’s kinda saying stuff a toddler would say now.”

“My lady, you’re sounding more and more like a little kid.”