◆◇◆
The floating temple in the sky—once referred to by the goddess as the mezzanine.
Before the projection of an image, a goddess resembling an “Ancient Elf” sits down.
“In that world, there’s a legend where a lake spirit gives out a ‘Holy Sword,’ but it’s a different kind of Holy Sword, right? It’s wielded bravely, though… Oh no, he’s going to do it again, isn’t he…?”
Last time, Tsukasa believed the people in the dormitory were characters in an illusion and proceeded to “conquer” them one by one.
The electric massager he used for that purpose looked like a malicious, vibrating object in the goddess’s eyes.
『――Haa…!』 『Fujiwara-san, I can’t take it anymore…』
While Tsukasa “fixed” them in place, he used the massager with precise, practiced movements, gliding it over the fatigued parts of Haruka and Futaba’s bodies—like their shoulders and hips. Instead of applying strong vibrations, he carefully balanced between touching and not touching, building up delicate vibrations.
In the image, the sisters are arching their backs simultaneously. When their “fixation” is released, they experience the accumulated sensations all at once.
“…This is just… this is torment. Over and over again, right on the verge…!”
The goddess could physically feel what they were experiencing as her own sensations.
Watching what Tsukasa was doing as an explorer—she should have only been an observer, but the goddess realized there was a “loophole” even for those watching.
Though she couldn’t interfere with Tsukasa directly, she could feel what he was doing. Even though she thought she shouldn’t care about such things, the goddess ended up trying “it” herself.
『Haa… haa… Tsukasa-kun… Please, no more…』 『I’m not bullying you. This is necessary, after all.』
“…’Please’… People of this era don’t normally say things like that, right? Does he even realize he’s making these girls say such outrageous things…? This clueless guy.”
She couldn’t help but mutter to herself. What Tsukasa was doing really did feel like torment.
『Fujiwara-san, you’re so mean… We’re not just… something like that…』 『Sorry, but we’ll stop here for now. I wouldn’t want you both to hate me once the illusion wears off.』 『There’s no way… If it’s you, Tsukasa-kun, we…』
Whether or not the two were under the influence of an illusion—the answer was clear, they were indeed affected.
However, the two had also begun to trust Tsukasa to some extent. As he heightened their emotions, significant amounts of magical energy were being generated.
“I can’t believe such powerful creatures have become Nereid’s familiars… and as cats, no less. This is just too whimsical.”
『Fujiwara-san… my body feels so hot…』 『I’m sorry… I’m too flushed… I can’t hold back any longer…』
The goddess gulped. All she could do was watch—was there anything Tsukasa could do for these two in such a state?
『…What should I do for you two?』
“(Oh… if he asks like that…)”
Though there was no need to restrain herself, the goddess instinctively lowered her voice.
『Well… maybe a lap pillow… and if you could touch my ears…』
The goddess blinked in surprise. Futaba’s request was far more innocent than she had imagined.
『If it’s just that… but I’ve never given anyone a lap pillow before.』 『R-really? That’s such a luxury…』 『You say it so modestly, Futaba… Tsukasa-kun, can I join too?』 『N-no, both at once is…』
Tsukasa sat down, and Futaba and Haruka curled up on his lap. Though initially flustered, Tsukasa soon regained his composure and began stroking their ears.
『These ears really feel like they’re there…』 『They’re made of magic, so… while there is a sensation, they’re not real…』 『I’m less concerned about my ears… my back feels more comfortable… stroke me more…』
“…What am I even watching right now…?”
The goddess muttered in self-mockery but couldn’t stop watching the scene unfold.
『Thank you, Fujiwara-san…』 『We’re so lucky to have met such a kind master…』
The sisters’ cat ears and tails vanished—and soon after, they drifted off to sleep.
Tsukasa carried them to the living room and laid them on the sofa. Watching his completely distraction-free actions, the goddess couldn’t help but murmur softly.
“Seriously… this guy is just too saintly.”
Though her words carried a sharp tone, the goddess kept watching Tsukasa, feeling as though she had witnessed something truly good.
◆◇◆
Meanwhile, in one of the residential quarters of the research institute, Cipher’s handler, Sana, was waiting for a visitor.
Resting in bed, Sana pressed a button on the bedside when there was a knock at the door. The door opened.
“Good morning! How are you feeling?”
“That’s a morning greeting, you know, Himeno-san.”
“Haha, is it? Well, let’s not sweat the small stuff… How are you feeling?”
“I’m really good. In fact, I’m so energetic my heart rate went up a bit.”
“As long as it’s within range, you’re fine. If we banned you from working because of that, it’d be no fun, right?”
“Thank you… Himeno-oneechan, you’re so kind, that’s why I like you.”
“Leave it to me… Oh, I almost pulled out a cigarette in a hospital room. Go ahead, call me a nicotine fiend.”
“I wouldn’t… If I were well, I’d want to be like you, Himeno-san.”
“Sana-chan, you’re a good girl, so don’t imitate someone like me…”
Himeno’s gaze shifted toward the display on Sana’s desk. There, a message appeared:
“This is necessary… Fujiwara-kun did nothing wrong.”
“Ah… I was just backing up Cipher’s video, and it finished a moment ago…”
Himeno crossed her arms and stared at the screen—a scene from one of the videos Cipher had recorded. It was footage of Haruka entering Tsukasa’s tent.
“That girl’s Mikuriya Haruka, right? They say she sometimes gets aroused when neutralizing poison, and guys from the Hyuga family have tried to take advantage of that.”
“Himeno-san, wow… How do you know so much?”
“I know everything… Just kidding. I looked into the people who’d be accompanying you beforehand.”
“Really? But shouldn’t I have known that, too? Doesn’t it defeat the purpose otherwise?”
“I didn’t want to put Mikuriya in a tough spot. Plus, you’re still too young to know about these things.”
“Please don’t treat me like a child. I understand things like that! In this case, Haruka-san couldn’t help it, right?”
In the video, Haruka was seen pinning Tsukasa down. Himeno paused the video after watching for a bit.
“…Is it okay for me not to censor this? Is anything inappropriate in here?”
“Inappropriate? What do you mean?”
“Uh… never mind, I’ll keep an eye on it. I am your supervisor, after all.”
“It’s fine. Tsukasa-san’s the kind of man who can handle being approached like that and still say no.”
“…Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously.”
Himeno made a disbelieving face, and Sana laughed as she watched her expression.
“There are guys like that? I thought high school boys were supposed to be more… straightforward.”
“Tsukasa-san is amazing. Even with lots of women around, he’s calm, and he never says or does anything inappropriate.”
“Well, it wouldn’t be right if he did. I guess that’s why my friend likes Fujiwara-kun.”
“…Don’t try to steal him! He’s my… um, master, after all.”
“…Oh?”
“W-What?”
Himeno got closer to Sana, smiling mischievously as she patted her head.
“Ahh… No, you can’t pat me. That’s Master’s privilege only…”
“He’s even done that for you, huh.”
“Yes. When he pats my head, it feels the same as when he helps Cipher…”
“He’s a real charmer… I should probably go see him soon and tell him to take good care of our Sana-chan.”
“Oh, um, Master actually said he wanted to talk to you about the video, but I…”
“…Got it. I’ll meet with him this time on your behalf.”
“Thank you. Please take care of it.”
“Want to tag along through Cipher’s view?”
“…Can I? Normally, I only get to see Tsukasa-san when we enter the dungeon together.”
“We’ll slowly expand your range of activities. That’s what I’m here for… By the way…”
Himeno once again approached the computer and, with a serious expression, hovered the cursor over the play button.
“Shall we watch this video together?”
“Yes, I’d like that…!”
Himeno nodded at Sana’s eager response and brought over a chair for her to sit.
“…Has the dungeon always been this intense? It’s completely different from when I was active.”
“Haha, Himeno-san, you sound like you’re pouting!”
“It was an all-girl team back then, and even when guys joined temporarily, they didn’t stay long. We were the strongest, after all.”
In the video, Tsukasa managed to turn the tables on Haruka, putting her to sleep with a spell called “The Creeping Hand of the Night.”
“Wait, what was that just now? Did he use magic? What…?”
“Haruka-san is squirming inside her sleeping bag. She’s probably having a dream.”
“Yeah, a dream… probably a massage or something, hence the noises.”
Cipher stopped filming the inside of the tent, but the video viewing continued. Himeno decided to stay the night at the institute.
As she glanced at Sana’s animated reactions, Himeno smiled softly before turning her attention back to the video showing Tsukasa and the others in action.
