Chapter 5

July 12, 2015 - Typo corrections

After washing my underwear and other things and feeling refreshed, I faced Mariel again.

I cast a light magic spell to dimly illuminate the room.

Fortunately, no one woke up from the shouting earlier.

It's still dark outside.

Checking my watch, it's just past three in the morning.

Fortunately, this world has the same rotational period as Earth, with a 24-hour day.

Since I can't use water magic, I used the well water outside. Of course, at this hour, it's without permission, or rather, I plan to get retroactive approval.

I need to obtain the power of water magic as soon as possible.

What kind of monster has water magic?

I need to hurry and learn about monsters. Still, there's too much to do.

"So, everything you said just now is true, right?"

I sat on the bed and pressed the point firmly with a stern tone.

"Yeah, it's true. Hehehehe."

Ignoring my stern tone, she continued to explain with her usual bright smile.

"In dreams, you can freely create your own dreams. You can have the dream you want, just as you wish. The sounds and sensations are no different from reality."

"Then, why did Higuragi appear in last night's dream?"

There's no way Mariel could know about Higuragi.

So, did she peek into my memories? That's scary. And it's inconvenient. I need to think about our future relationship.

Or did she enter the dream? Like a succubus.

Many questions swirl in my mind, but I try not to show my doubts or suspicion as I ask.

"The girl who appeared in the dream, Higuragi. You don't know her, right?"

"I chose the girl who left the strongest impression in Michinaga's memories. I don't know what kind of girl she is. I don't know her face or voice. The girl in the dream is entirely created from Michinaga's memories. And I let Michinaga do what he most wanted to do with that girl."

After her unusually long explanation, Mariel spun around and circled me, humming a tune I couldn't recognize.

"Can't you peek into memories or enter dreams in more detail?"

"What do you mean? I can't peek into memories. And entering dreams? That sounds interesting."

Saying this, she flipped over in the air, kicked her legs, and laughed, holding her stomach.

"I see, that's right. You can't enter dreams."

It seems my worries were unfounded.

Even with a forced smile, I confirm the important points.

"Just to be sure, you really are free, right? The sensations and sounds are all the same as reality, right? No mistake, right?"

"It's true, believe me. I don't lie."

She had been laughing just a moment ago, but now her eyes were moist with tears.

"Alright, I believe you. But just to be sure, show me the dream I want tonight."

I brought up the main topic as if it were nothing.

"Impossible."

"Why not?!"

I shouted reflexively at Mariel's immediate and firm refusal.

"Boo-hoo! You're angry!"

"No, I'm sorry. I'm not angry. Really, I'm not angry."

Her crying echoed through the room, and I hurried to calm her down.

But the moment her crying echoed, I turned to the door, showing how timid I am.

"Really? You're not angry?"

She sniffled and looked up at me with wide, hopeful eyes.

"I wouldn't be with a girl I don't like. There are men like that in the world, but I'm different. That's why you came with me, right?"

I was impressed with myself. I could spout such smooth words because she wasn't a young human girl. Maybe I'm capable of more than I thought. I just realized it.

"Right! That's it. You chose me, Michinaga."

She skipped in the air with a full smile, as if she had never cried. This girl has the makings of a hopeless romantic.

Maybe I'm looking at Mariel with the eyes of someone who pities a poor child.

"By the way, why can't you show me a dream tonight?"

I asked Mariel gently, calmly, and with affection, reminding myself to do so.

"The fairy's blessing can only be used once every three days."

This time, she said it while spinning slowly. Is she in a better mood now?

She's a girl with intense emotions.

Still, once every three days, that's a bit tricky. I might have accepted it more easily if I were in my thirties. But I'm eighteen now. Honestly, I'm a bit dissatisfied.

But I should focus on the benefits rather than the drawbacks.

Yes, this could be an incredible thing I've acquired. With Mariel, it's like having a harem.

Moreover, the number of people and the situations are entirely up to me.

Even girls I've only seen passing by, princesses, anyone I've seen even once, I can do as I please in my dreams.

And the sensations are no different from reality.

A perfect imaginary harem.

...No, that sounds a bit sad. Let's call it a dream harem.

"Alright, then I'll ask you in three days. I'll think of some requests. Let's get some more sleep and then go out."

I told Mariel calmly, trying not to show my inner excitement, and decided to get some more sleep until morning.

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After having breakfast at the restaurant from last night, "Atari Shokudo," I headed to the Explorer's Guild as planned.

It was just past seven o'clock.

As I expected, the morning in this town is early. Everyone on the street was walking briskly, looking busy.

I had just passed by some dwarves and elves.

Had they been drinking all night?

Two dwarves and three elves, all reeking of alcohol, were stumbling and swaying while chatting.

Dwarves and elves aren't enemies, I guess.

That moment changed my perception of dwarves and elves.

Still, dwarves and elves drinking all night is impressive. I guess it's a modern Japanese perspective, but that's what I thought.

Not just dwarves and elves, but also beastmen with animal-like ears and tails were walking around normally.

The game's description didn't mention discrimination against sub-humans or beastmen.

I was worried about it, as it's a common theme in light novels, but I didn't see any signs of discrimination.

At least, from what I've seen so far, all races seem to be treated equally.

I've also seen several carts, all loaded with supplies. Of course, the items vary, but I've seen a lot of food and livestock feed.

I don't have enough information to judge if the food supply is abundant, but at least the food distribution seems active.

"Clothes, new clothes. Michinaga will buy me clothes."

She was flying around me in the air, looking incredibly happy.

Is she really that happy about just clothes?

Well, when she followed me, she left all her belongings in her nest, so she's probably happy to have a change of clothes.

"Mariel, shall we go buy clothes first before heading to the Explorer's Guild?"

The words slipped out as I watched her happy face.

"Really? Is it okay? Yay!"

She tackled me with a body press to my nose, with incredible speed.

"Whoa! Hey, don't hug my face!"

I pulled her off my face and continued.

"I don't want to keep you waiting."

Seeing her happiness made me want to see her even happier. I swallowed those words and urged her on.

"Come on, let's go."

"Coming, coming right away. I love you, Michinaga, I love you."

She followed me, flying in a zigzag pattern, which I guess is an expression of her emotions.

She's cute, no doubt. Her face and figure. The only thing lacking is her height. If she were 120 centimeters taller, that would be perfect.

I thought about this as we headed to the clothing store.

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Here it is...

The store was on a street two blocks away from the main street where the inn is located.

I froze in front of the clothing store the innkeeper had told me about. I didn't have the courage to go inside.

It's not that there's a scary-looking guy inside.

The store has large glass windows, and the interior is visible from outside, making it very bright. It looks like a women's clothing store in Japan, though there's no display window.

However, even from the outside, the store is filled with small, cute fairy-sized clothes.

Is this what a fancy shop looks like? I'm not sure.

For me, who has never been to a women's clothing store, this cute space is too much of a hurdle.

Maybe I should go to the Explorer's Guild first... It's not too late, right?

Mariel's sad face flashed in my mind, but I need to prioritize my mental state.

"Sorry, Mariel, but let's register at the guild first... okay?"

While thinking about how to calm Mariel down, I turned around... but she was gone.

Huh? She's gone? Did we get separated?

I looked around frantically and caught a glimpse of something familiar fluttering at the corner of my eye.

It's Mariel.

She's in the store. Why are you in there?!

I almost shouted at Mariel, who was happily holding clothes in a fairy-sized clothing store.

Should I run?

Leave Mariel? That doesn't seem right as a man.

But I don't have the courage to go in...

If I run, I'll lose the harem.

No, I'll lose Mariel.

I steeled myself and gently opened the door of the clothing store.