Chapter 17

As the fifth member of the Demon King extermination team, I had to watch over the other four until the extermination was completed, and various problems arose during that time.

One of these issues was that even with a team of members who were strong enough to challenge the peak of the world, someone would often fall ill and force us to interrupt our journey.

Yuma, who was only nine years old, and Miralca, who was eleven, were not used to long-distance travel. When we had to move on foot, they couldn't walk for more than half a day, and I had to carry them on my back.

When my legs ached and I couldn't move properly the next day, I wondered what "adventurer strength" really meant. However, without them, the party would become weaker, so I had to constantly think about how to care for the fatigue of the party members.

Compared to Yuma and Miralca, Cordy was so sturdy that a saying "Cordy never catches a cold" was born. Aileen, the only woman among us, had physical strength that rivaled the men, so I privately gave her the nickname "Steel Woman," though it never really stuck.

In any case, I needed to hone various skills to keep the members in top condition. One of the techniques I developed was "magic massage," which uses recovery and enhancement magic.

"Hmm... ah... Dick, you're really good... It's been a while since I felt something so deep inside..."

"The magic is working effectively, reaching the core... Don't say things that need an explanation. And I'm Sebas, remember?"

"Well... calling you by a different name makes me nervous..."

"As long as no one else hears it. Aileen usually takes on high-rank jobs, so I try to provide some service from time to time. Is there any specific area you want me to focus on?"

"...There is a place I really want you to work on, but... how about my arms?"

"Actually, I'd prefer if you told me the place you really want me to work on."

"Ah, I was just saying. I know Dick wouldn't do that kind of thing."

Like Miralca, Aileen expressed her trust in me. Just by working on the tension from her back to her waist, she was already completely relaxed and defenseless.

The room was filled with incense to relax both body and mind. Originally, I thought it would help with better sleep, but it created the perfect environment for the magic massage.

"...Eh, I mean, I'm not treating you like a boy or anything..."

"Thank you for your concern. I'll move on to your arms now."

"Ah, that way of speaking makes you sound like a butler. Dick, you actually suit that kind of thing."

"What do you mean by 'actually suit'? ...But this isn't the time to argue."

Aileen was wearing a simple one-piece dress similar to her usual martial artist outfit, but with less decoration. The short sleeves allowed me to perform the massage without her having to take off her clothes. I placed my hands on her shoulders and began to knead her arms, focusing on improving blood circulation.

"Ah... sorry, I made a sound... I didn't realize I was this tense."

"Customers who work hard every day naturally accumulate fatigue. It's good to release it from time to time."

"Ah, thank you... Ahn... But if we do this regularly... Ah, that spot... that feels good..."

"I'm trying to keep it normal, so try to hold back your reactions."

"But... Dick, you're too good... Even on my arms, why does it feel so...?"

"Well, it's called 'treatment' for a reason. It's supposed to feel good. Some say it works better if it hurts, but with magic, you don't need to apply that much force."

"Right... It's the magic that makes it so effective. Dick, you're putting in more effort than you let on..."

I didn't say it out loud, but I always put in my best effort. After finishing her arms, I moved on to her back and waist, stretching the tight muscles.

From her narrow waist down, it was hard to tell where her buttocks began. Aileen fit the description of a woman with a large bottom, which is said to be ideal for childbirth. I couldn't help but think like my father.

"Ugh~ When you press on my waist, it feels like it's reaching inside... The sensation of this magic is addictive~..."

"To correct the pelvic misalignment, it's better to use magic while pressing."

"Is this my waist or my butt? Ah, it's the middle part... Ah..."

"I'm not going any deeper. I'm just doing what I was asked to do. But your lower body is incredible... What is this ideal muscle structure?"

"Even if you praise me now... Ah, no, I can't... I really can't..."

When she said "I can't," I wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing. If she really couldn't, I could stop, but Aileen couldn't even make a sound anymore. She trembled each time my magic flowed into her. It wasn't a spasm, but a reaction to the direct application of recovery magic, which would fully heal her later.

By the time I finished working on her thighs, calves, and feet, Aileen had fainted. Her legs, from her waist to her toes, were a perfect example of a martial artist's physique, making her an ideal subject for observation. I wiped my forehead, changed my mindset, and called in the next guest—Miralca.

"Why is Aileen, who wasn't even that tired, completely out after such thorough treatment?"

"This is the heartfelt service of this household. Please, have a seat on the bed, ma'am."

"Don't say 'bed.' It sounds inappropriate coming from you."

What kind of fantasies are you having, my lady? I wanted to ask in butler mode, but Miralca was right. The main guest today was Yuma, so I needed to get Miralca to sleep quickly.

"...When you did this for me before, you only worked on my feet. Did you do the whole body for Aileen?"

"Yes, I used recovery magic on her entire body to completely eliminate muscle fatigue."

"Whole body... You mean just the back side, right? Aileen was lying on her back..."

"Yes, just the back. If you have any specific areas you'd like me to focus on, I can do that as part of the treatment."

"...I'll have the same as Aileen, but start with my feet. It makes me more comfortable."

Miralca sat on the bed and carefully adjusted her skirt to avoid showing anything. I took off her boots as I had done before.

During the journey to defeat the Demon King, she used to go barefoot, but now she wore black tights. She had grown up in the past five years. Tights were not common, even among nobles, but as a professor at the magic university, she could have a tailor make custom tights for her.

Most tights were made of white linen, but Miralca's were made from the silk of the rare "Black Moss" silkworm. I could tell by touch, and I had never seen anyone else use silk for tights.

"...Do I need to take off my tights? I feel embarrassed showing my bare feet..."

"No, it's fine as is. You must be tired from walking. Let's begin. Your boots look new, so your feet might not be used to them yet."

"That's... Ah..."

I held Miralca's foot and began to apply pressure to the soles, diagnosing the blisters forming from the new boots and starting the recovery magic.

"...You're really good. You'd make a better doctor than a guild master... Ah... Is that warm feeling from the magic?"

"My treatment always involves magic. I'll cast a continuous recovery spell to help you get used to your boots. 'Continuous Healing Light.'"

Miralca didn't say anything and accepted my treatment. As a professor, she probably spent a lot of time sitting at a desk, so her eyes, shoulders, and waist were also a bit fatigued.

"Ma'am, if I may, I think a full-body treatment would be better. It will only take a little more time."

"...Alright. Unlike Aileen, I won't fall asleep. I have important business to attend to, so I need to stay awake."

"No, please take your time until dinner. It would be good to rest a bit, considering your usual workload."

After finishing her foot treatment, Miralca lay face down on her bed. She glanced at the sleeping Aileen but said nothing, waiting for the treatment to continue.

"...I suggested the hospitality, so... the butler tone... It's a bit forced, but I think it's not too bad."

If this was the reason for Miralca's unusual quietness, I should act more gentlemanly when I want her to listen to me.

Feeling a bit hesitant about her vulnerable state, I started with her back. She let out a small sound when I pressed firmly, but I continued the professional magic massage calmly.

◆◇◆

Miralca soon fell asleep, and when Yuma arrived, she was quite nervous about being touched by a man, so I decided to do a "non-contact treatment," using only magic without any physical touch.

I sat next to Yuma on the bed and used recovery magic without touching her body. Compared to Aileen and Miralca, Yuma, who was extremely busy, had accumulated the most fatigue. Thinking about how hard she worked in her small body, I naturally put more effort into the treatment, being careful not to touch her.

"...It feels very soothing. Sebas, you use recovery magic, don't you?"

"I have mastered all the necessary skills to serve our guests."

If I said I could do both recovery and enhancement, Yuma would easily figure out my true identity. However, since Yuma had received my recovery magic before, it wasn't surprising that she might recognize it. Fortunately, she didn't seem to notice.

"I have a dear friend... no, a companion who uses recovery magic."

"...Is that so?"

"Yes. This person is often cold, but they care about others more than anyone. I'm a cleric, but I can't use recovery magic, and this person never gets angry and always heals us with magic. Watching this person, I want to be someone who can heal others like that..."

Yuma was probably talking about me—Dick Silver. I didn't know she thought of me that way, and I wondered if it was right to hear it like this.

All I could do now was answer Yuma as the butler Sebas.

"I'm sure this person respects you, Yuma. Being a cleric is a wonderful job that brings peace to people's hearts."

"Is that so... I'm still inexperienced and can't do much..."

"Your dedication, Yuma, is something I admire. I'm sure many others feel the same... The treatment is now complete."

"Ah... Yes. My body feels so light, thank you..."

Yuma stood up and bowed in gratitude. Her hair, which she had let grow to her shoulders, swayed, and she blushed as she smoothed it with her hands. Her innocent gesture hadn't changed much from when she was younger.

"...I'll start preparing dinner now."

"Yes... Thank you. I'll rest until the others wake up."

"Please, take your time. I'll leave you now."

I left the room, leaving the three of them behind. I had already prepared the ingredients for dinner, and I could handle it alone.

Just as I thought this, I heard footsteps from the end of the hallway.

No one else should be in this house besides me and the three guests. But I clearly heard the footsteps.

I followed the sound. The twelve rooms on the second floor included the guest rooms on the east side. The west side should only have unused rooms. I opened the doors, but no one was there. I even checked the room with the artworks, but found no one.

The only place left to check was the attic. The stairs to the attic were on the west side of the second floor.

I had already investigated the attic and the basement, but something might have changed as night approached. This was the haunted house where spirits were said to appear. I felt a bit tense as I climbed the stairs to the attic.

I opened the door and entered the attic. The setting sun shone through the window, illuminating part of the room.

Standing in the sunlight was someone.

"...Who are you? How did you get into this house?"

The person walked towards me. A girl in a black dress, with long silver hair and a headpiece. From her appearance, I guessed she was a noble.

"...It's a pleasure to meet you. I am a member of the family that once owned this mansion."

She curtsied, a formal greeting for nobles. My guess was correct.

A former owner of this mansion. I wondered why she was in the attic and where she had been while we were investigating the house.

I had many questions, but more than anything, I was captivated by the otherworldly beauty of the girl, as if she had stepped out of a painting.