Chapter 17

The garden was progressing smoothly thanks to the Wood Armor and the Wood Golem.

Even if there were large rocks, by increasing the synthesis amount, the armor could grow larger and handle the situation.

The problem, as always, was the bulky physique, but recently, using the image of the Nio statue from memory to shape up, it was no longer an issue.

The garden, too, had been expanded, and I increased the apple orchard and traps all at once.

I had also become accustomed to making traps. It was the feeling of releasing the magic power inside my body through the house.

Everything was going smoothly,

"Huh, I'm hungry. Sakura, shall we have some—wait, are you okay?"

That day, Sakura seemed off. She woke up as usual during the day, was active until evening, and returned home,

"Y-Yes... I'm fine..."

Her complexion seemed somehow off.

"What's wrong? Should you rest at home for a while?"

"No, it would be a bother to you, my lord—"

While speaking, Sakura leaned towards me.

"R-Really, are you okay?"

"Ah... I'm sorry."

Fainting like this was clearly not normal. But if I continued to ask, she would probably just say, "I'm fine," so,

"Sakura, as your owner, I want to confirm... how is your current condition?"

Sakura began to speak, as if resigned.

"It seems I have temporarily overused my magic power."

"Ah, I see."

Recently, I had been making traps and constantly improving the armor, and synchronizing with Sakura a lot. When synchronized with Sakura, my magic power consumption was significantly reduced, but it seemed that Sakura's consumption increased.

That's why,

"Also, I was having so much fun being with you that I didn't replenish myself, so it's my own fault."

"Will you recover?"

"As long as I receive the supply from the dragon vein, I'll be fine. I'll be back to normal after a few hours of rest."

She smiled, sweating, but looked pained.

Moreover, because of her poor condition, the house was also acting strange.

It was making creaking sounds.

"I'm sorry. The house is weak because I am weak..."

The house spirit.

If she is weak, the house is also weak.

"Is there no way to recover faster?"

I'm worried.

Can't she recover quickly like I do by eating or sleeping?

"There is a way... but it involves you replenishing me."

Oh, there is a way.

"If I can help you recover, I don't mind."

Go ahead.

How do you replenish?

"Um... well, it's said that the best way to satisfy magic power is to satisfy the three major desires, right?"

Ah, that's right.

I recover by eating and sleeping.

"So, um, in my case, I need to satisfy my sexual desire."

"…Huh?"

Did I hear that wrong?

Sakura, say it again.

"So, it's sexual desire..."

Sakura blushed and said it shyly.

"Um... isn't satisfying hunger or sleep enough?"

"I hardly sleep, and I can't recover much from eating. Actually, it's amazing that you can recover from eating."

Come to think of it, I've never seen Sakura sleep.

Also, she doesn't eat much. She's quite a light eater, and I always wondered how she managed,

"I see... so, how do you usually replenish?"

"Well... I don't usually overuse my magic power, so I comfort myself. But it seems that wasn't enough this time."

I didn't notice.

I was sound asleep.

"Anyway, I'll recover if I rest for a while..."

Sakura lowered her head, looking apologetic.

"Hmm... but, Sakura, if I replenish you, it will be more certain and faster, right?"

"Y-Yes, definitely. It's much more efficient to recover magic power than just resting."

I see.

Then it's settled.

"Alright, Sakura. Let's do it."

"Eh?"

"Let's satisfy your desire."

"―Y-You're okay with this?!"

Whoa, her voice got really loud.

Is it that surprising?

"Because... I'm just a spirit, and I might not be worthy of you. I was wondering if it was okay..."

"At least I think it's fine."

I find Sakura cute, and I like her personality. She's very important to me, and I'd be in trouble if she disappeared.

If Sakura doesn't refuse, I'm happy to lend my body.

"That... is really wonderful..."

Sakura smiled, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I... have always admired you since the day you were born. ...So, this is what I've always wanted."

You've been watching me for so long. Thank you.

"Ah, I can't stand seeing you in pain. It would be as bad as losing my home. So—"

"―Yes, together..."

And so, Sakura and I sought each other's bodies.

The relationship between Sakura and I changed a little.