Chapter 72

MIXED BATHING IS NOT ALLOWED.

As I forcibly handed Fran, who had started to protest, over to a nearby knight, the Holy Maiden headed towards the bath. Then, without paying any mind to the gazes of the knights nearby, she entered the changing room with me and began to undress right next to where I was taking off my clothes. After rinsing her body lightly, she entered the bathtub with me and Yuel.

Inside the bathtub, the water was murky, so nothing could be seen, but it seemed as if she was saying that being seen didn’t matter up until that point. In fact, I could see various things, and she didn’t try to hide even when I looked.

...This Holy Maiden does things that Elise and Ruruka can’t do so calmly. Perhaps this is also part of her strategy against succubi, as a Holy Maiden.

"Master, this is a really big bath!"

"Yeah, yeah, it is. It’s really big."

Elise and Ruruka are still in the changing room. They might be wondering if they should enter now that the Holy Maiden has gone in. They might have intended to enter together, but there’s a certain line of embarrassment that comes with bathing together. They seem hesitant to enter.

"..."

The Holy Maiden, who was so forceful until she entered, is now silent. She is immersed in the water, with her eyes closed. Perhaps by closing her eyes, she is saying that I can look as much as I want. It’s not like her body is something worth looking at, though.

But... this is awkward. After all, the Holy Maiden is quite beautiful. Her long, glossy black hair, tied up so it doesn’t get wet, and the nape of her neck visible from it, exude a nostalgic charm.

Maybe I should start a conversation. A topic the Holy Maiden might respond to would be the Bible, I suppose. ...Actually, I remember there was something in the Bible that I found curious while reading it. I’ll bring it up.

"Hey, Philine. By the way, why did the Evil God start attacking humanity? I read the Bible, but I couldn’t really understand that part."

"Huh, huh!? What!?"

The Holy Maiden’s shoulders jumped. Then, she let out a strange, high-pitched voice.

"Um, y-yes! What, what is it? Did you call me...?"

The Holy Maiden turned to me, trying to cover up the voice she just made. It seems she wasn’t paying attention. She also seems quite flustered. Her cheeks turned red, perhaps because she was embarrassed by the sound she made.

...Maybe she was more nervous than she thought after entering the bath. After all, it’s not something a Holy Maiden would do often, to bathe with a man. She was the one who suggested it, though.

"The Evil God, the Evil God. I had a question while reading the Bible. Why does the Evil God hate humanity so much and attack them?"

"Oh, oh... I see. The reason the Evil God attacked humanity is... not yet known."

After confirming the reason I called her, the Holy Maiden let out a relieved breath. Then, she continued, fidgeting with her wet black hair to hide her embarrassment.

"You don’t know?"

"Yes, but... one theory is that the Evil God wanted to destroy the dungeons."

"...The dungeons?"

It was a somewhat unexpected answer. I thought the reason for the conflict between the Evil God and humanity would be something religious, like "There should only be one god in the world, and I’ll destroy those who believe in other gods!" or something like that.

"Yes, do you know what the dungeons are, Sir Shiki?"

"Well... I know they’re said to be trials given by the gods, or giant creatures, or remnants of ancient ruins. But I heard that no one really knows what they are."

The true nature of the dungeons is unknown. The environment is so different that monsters don’t leave bodies when they die. There are systems like drops and treasure chests, which seem magical, and no one has ever reached the bottom. The dungeons are quite out of the ordinary, even in a world with magic.

"They are often talked about, but it’s impossible to definitively say what they are. And I believe the same is true for the Holy Maiden."

"I believe the dungeons are trials given by the gods."

However, the Holy Maiden looked me in the eye and said this firmly.

...Trials given by the gods. A typical Holy Maiden answer. I’m not the type to believe in such things. I find the idea of ancient ruins with advanced civilization more convincing.

"Trials given by the gods, huh. Why do you think that?"

"The holy saints were summoned to a certain dungeon city a few months before the Evil God began its invasion. The books say that the saint was an old man before being summoned, but appeared as a young man when he arrived in this world. The same is true for you. You were summoned a few months before the succubi, the Evil God’s servants, were revived in this dungeon city. ...Is that right?"

"Yeah, yeah. I thought I had died in the previous world, but I was in this dungeon city. I don’t think my age has changed, but the wound from the pervert’s knife was healed, and my clothes weren’t bloodstained."

Hearing the Holy Maiden’s story, I recalled when I was summoned. I thought I had died after being stabbed by a pervert, but I was in this dungeon city. When I arrived in this world, my clothes weren’t dirty, and I didn’t have any fatal wounds. From what the Holy Maiden said, it seems the god-like being that summoned me might have summoned me in my prime. I was in my prime physically, so my appearance didn’t change.

"I believe the dungeons scattered throughout this world are points of divine intervention... a device to send the saints in their prime to this world’s crisis, even by reversing time."

Points of divine intervention. If there really is a god-like being overseeing the world, it might be a gateway to reflect the god’s will in the world.

"There must be something at the bottom of the dungeon, guarded by many layers of monsters. I believe that by overcoming the trial of the dungeon, one can make contact with the gods. ...The Evil God, during its advance into human territory, destroyed all the dungeon cities in its path. Dungeons are an important resource for humans. There’s a theory that the Evil God wanted to deal a blow to humanity by destroying them... but I feel that the Evil God was trying to take away the point of contact between the gods and this world."

"Taking away the point of contact between the gods and the world, huh."

"...Well, for hundreds or thousands of years, no one has reached the bottom of the dungeons. There’s no way to verify it."

As expected of a Holy Maiden, she presented a unique perspective I had never heard before. However, it’s a grand and somewhat hard-to-understand direction, talking about gods and such. Honestly, it sounds suspicious. Yuel is listening with interest, but my attention has already shifted to the silhouettes of Elise and Ruruka in the changing room.

"Thank you, Philine. It was really helpful."

When I thanked her, the Holy Maiden smiled and said, "I didn’t expect you to be interested in the Bible... I’m very happy. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

...As a Holy Maiden, she might really like these kinds of conversations about the Bible. Her smile made me feel like I should apologize for not paying attention earlier.

Maybe it’s because the Holy Maiden is immersed in the murky water up to her shoulders. The lack of visible breasts makes it seem as if they are there. Talking to her face-to-face like this is a bit awkward. ...It’s even more awkward now.

"Ah, yeah, if there’s another chance..."

I decided to put the Holy Maiden out of my mind for a moment. I’m still curious, though. Like, the silhouette of Elise and Ruruka through the frosted glass in the changing room.

...But, to think I would get a second chance in this form. The Holy Maiden really does good things. She also told Elise and Ruruka to stay by my side. She even had the knight remove Fran, who tried to stop us from entering the bath. The knight seemed to be torn between following Fran and the Holy Maiden, but ultimately followed the Holy Maiden. Fran, who was shown the difference in popularity, was led away to her room with a slightly hurt expression. I felt a bit sorry for her, but...

"Master, why is the water in this bath murky?"

As I was thinking about this, Yuel spoke up. She seemed curious about the murky water.

"Yeah. It doesn’t seem to be a hot spring, so... probably they’re using some kind of bath salts."

"Bath salts?"

Yuel tilted her head, unfamiliar with the concept. I decided to explain.

"...Probably, it’s an alkaline type because it feels a bit slimy. Yuel, bath salts are something you dissolve in the bath..."

—And just as I was about to explain, there was a sound like a sliding door opening from the direction of the changing room.

"!"

Reflexively, my head turned towards the changing room. It was Elise and Ruruka. They had entered the bath.

"Y-You know, maybe this was a bit too early..."

"But, but, the Holy Maiden went in, so we can’t not go in, right?"

Elise was twisting her body, trying to hide her large breasts with a towel. Ruruka, perhaps feeling my gaze, looked down, blushing.

The bath is large. From the bathtub, the entrance is not very clear due to the steam. But if I keep looking, I’ll eventually see. Right now, I can look as much as I want. This isn’t peeping; it’s mixed bathing with consent. I won’t be scolded or accused of harassment.

Elise and Ruruka, hiding behind something, lightly rinsed their bodies and entered the bathtub. Perhaps feeling safe in the murky water, they approached.

Both of them are silent, perhaps feeling embarrassed. But they are close enough that I could touch their skin with a slight reach. Is it okay to touch? Can I touch? They said they like me.

As I was thinking this, I felt something touch my hand in the murky water. Soft, slender fingers. They touched my hand cautiously.

"..."

I looked in the direction of the touch and met Elise’s eyes. Elise smiled slightly at me and gently stroked my hand. Then, she shyly looked away.

—The scene from this morning replayed in my mind.

Elise, who said she likes me. Elise, who said she wants me to choose her, even when teased by the knights.

And Elise is still touching my hand under the murky water, gently and secretly, without anyone noticing.

...Shouldn’t I just take her down? It feels like it would be rude not to. Or rather, being in the bath with Elise is already awkward, and now that she’s touching me, I can’t take it anymore. My rational barriers are crumbling rapidly. I feel my head boiling, just like when I was controlled by the succubi.

Right now, Elise isn’t wearing anything. If I grab her hand and pull her out of the bathtub, I’ll see her completely naked.

I remember, Elise said she would do anything for me during the battle with the succubi. Now might be the time to fulfill that promise. To take Elise out of this murky water...

—The word "murky water" reminded me.

I looked towards where Yuel was earlier. Yuel was still there, looking at me. It seems she had been watching me the whole time. I had been staring at Elise and Ruruka, cutting off my conversation with Yuel.

...Did Yuel notice that I was staring at Elise and Ruruka? I’m a bit worried.

"Master, can I sit on your lap?"

As I was searching Yuel’s expression, she suddenly said this. ...Maybe Yuel felt a bit lonely because I was looking at Elise and Ruruka. Harems are nice, but being ignored and not even looked at must be sad.

Sitting on my lap isn’t a problem. I’ve let her sit on my lap before and washed her hair.

—But not now.

Absolutely not now.

Right now, I’m in the bath with Elise, Ruruka, and the Holy Maiden. The Holy Maiden is a bit further away, and the murky water hides the important parts. But Elise is touching my hand under the murky water, and Ruruka is close enough to touch my shoulder.

What would happen to a healthy young man in such a situation?

It’s obvious.

The murky water hides it from everyone, even Yuel.

But if she sits down, she’ll definitely feel it.

Yuel is only hiding her front with a towel. She’s not wearing a bra or pants, just a very low-defense outfit.

What would happen if Yuel, in this state, sat on my lap?

The more I imagine it, the more I can’t let her sit.

"Master, I’ll sit on your lap."

Yuel, interpreting my silence as permission, slowly began to sit on me. No, no.

This is bad.

An accident will happen.

"Y-Yuel!"

I called her name, and her movement paused for a moment. But I don’t know what to say next.

"T-That...?"

...Until now, I’ve always let Yuel sit on my lap when she asked. I’ve never refused her small requests and even petted her head after. Yuel must think I’ll let her sit. To stop her, I need a reasonable reason. Otherwise, Yuel might think I don’t like her and get hurt. What should I say...?

"..."

As I struggled to find the right words, Yuel tilted her head and began to sit down. I’ve never refused Yuel’s requests before. She might have interpreted my silence as permission.

Yuel’s small bottom dipped slightly into the murky water.

No, no.

There’s no time left.

Just a few more centimeters.

If Yuel’s body follows the laws of physics, it will inevitably...!

But I can’t think of a good reason to stop Yuel. I might be too late to grab her and stop her. I’ve prioritized appearances too much.

Yuel’s body sinking into the bathtub is replayed in slow motion in my mind.

When Yuel’s body is fully submerged in the bathtub, it’s over.

As a human, as an adult, it’s over.

—Even if it raises some questions, I have to stop her with my strength.

I might not make it in time, but I’ll try.

I quickly moved my hands to support Yuel’s waist.

—But, the hand on my hand from Elise slightly blocked me.

A moment of hesitation about whether I should push away Elise’s hand.

But, a fatal delay.

That moment decided everything.

My hands didn’t make it in time...!

Yuel’s body is sinking into the murky water...!

It’s too late.

...Until now, I didn’t believe in gods, thinking they were suspicious. But in a moment like this, one can’t help but pray.

Someone, someone, help me.

In the brief moment, I sincerely prayed to the gods.

—And the prayer was answered.

"Succubi! Succubi are here!"

The loud voice of a knight echoed through the mansion.

Yuel’s body, just a short distance from mine, stopped.

I thanked the Evil God from the bottom of my heart!

The next update will be in about three days.