Chapter 38: The Blindfolded Nun’s Suspicion III

“…!”

Noah flinches, stepping back.

“What’s wrong?”

“…When did you get so close?”

“Just now.”

Is she as sensitive as Bella? Reacting like a startled beast fresh from a trance is surprising. I want to make this examiner pant. Soon, I will.

“Judge me with that keen nose next time. …I’ll visit you alone in your room.”

How does Veil Noah take my suggestive remark? She watches me silently. Her blindfold hides her thoughts.

Yet, I sense a strange wariness toward me. Because I might be a criminal using people as bait? No… that’s not it. It’s a subtle unease, hard to explain.

Noah skillfully hides even that unease and says quietly, “I don’t judge because of my nose, but I’ll look forward to it.”

Examiner Veil Noah leaves.

“Big Bro.”

“Karen, you must have a lot to say, but…”

“It worked out!”

“Huh?”

“We got another mission. Let’s nail it this time!”

“…Yeah.”

Despite the overturned result, Karen doesn’t show disappointment. She doesn’t press me about not mentioning Isti. She considers me, knowing what’s important. Her energy boosts mine.

Time, frozen when Examiner Veil Noah was here, flows again. Adventurers lose interest, returning to their spots. Mr. Smidden brings coworkers to move Sin Wolf to the workshop.

“Mr. Decal, don’t you want an artifact as a reward for handling Sin Wolf?” the Guild Master asks.

“What’s an artifact?”

“A rare magical item, like a talisman, made from scarce monster materials. It has special effects, but requires many materials, so you get only one.”

Hmm. That should be useful?

“Karen, what do you think?”

I ask Karen, who helped.

“I think a wearable artifact is nice.”

“Then we’ll take the artifact as a reward.”

“Got it. I’ll inform you when it’s ready.”

Spectators are gone; only Isti and Karen remain.

“Isti, you know that examiner?”

“Yeah. Noah’s also Diamond rank. She surrendered her adventurer license to become an examiner. …She’s tough.”

“Tough?”

“If not for Noah, this wouldn’t have happened. She’s always too strict. Called ‘Iron Wall Examiner.’”

“Like you’re called the Noble Huntress?”

“Yeah, similar.”

A task from such an examiner won’t be easy. We need a plan.

“Let’s discuss the extra test over food!”

“Meat?” Karen jumps in.

“Meat.”

“Big Bro’s the best!”

“Isti, it that good?”

“Yeah.”

We head to a meat joint Isti and I frequent. 

We have simple—grill meat on a plate. That’s the tastiest way. It’s less seasoned than modern times, but I guess that’s unavoidable.

“Delicious!”

Their eating styles contrast sharply. 

Isti eats quietly, barely chewing; Karen reacts with her whole b0dy. 

Watching them makes the meat tastier.

Reflecting on the matter, only Isti and I know about hypnosis. Isti knows I can now control the next test’s outcome. I’ve set a safeguard on Veil Noah herself. A hole’s already in the iron wall meant to be shaken by fair skill. I could even cancel the extra test now.

Karen doesn’t know, but the test is practically passed.

Hypnosis rocks!

But that’s not the point. My goal isn’t becoming a hero candidate. Begging the examiner to pass me is meaningless. It’d only hasten parting with Karen. So, I spend time with her, seeing how things unfold.

We earned the guild’s approval by defeating Sin Wolf. Only Veil Noah’s approval remains. Passing the test is a breeze.

Let’s think. What’s the hottest approach? What’s the most fun way to steer this?

“Big Bro! You listening?”

“Huh? What?”

“The strategy! To beat a lich, we need anti-magic gear. Its magic is dangerous head-on.”

“It uses attack magic?”

“Yeah! So, I’ll carry a shield with high magic resistance. Weak against physical defense, though. Liches have skeleton followers, so we must avoid being surrounded. Also, skeleton warriors…”

Karen’s already fired up for her dream. This is it. What do I want with this dreaming girl?

Within the extra test period, I’ll get Karen pregnant. Catching the lich isn’t essential. It’d be dramatic, but too risky. I’ll rig the test for Karen’s pass without her noticing my interference.

She’ll become a hero candidate, shining with pure passion, a top prospect for the hero party. But her belly will swell. Realizing she’s pregnant, irreversible, she’ll face me with eyes that lost their dream.

Heh. Perfect. This is it!

“Love it.”

“Big Bro thinks so too? Liches are weak to physical attacks. I’ll dive in and strike.” Karen clenches her fist.

“I’ll shock that examiner!”

I’ll definitely get Karen pregnant!

“Karen, let’s prep tomorrow.”

“Yeah!”

“No way.”

Isti, listening quietly, speaks.

“Decal, liches are dangerous. Noah said they’re like Sin Wolf, but that’s half-true.”

“Half-true?”

“Elder liches can rival a nation. They don’t always appear in ancient ruins. Liches demand extreme caution.”

“If it gets bad, I’ll call Isti.”

“Wouldn’t the examiner understand?”

If it’s truly bad, I could hypnotize Karen to skip the process and get Noah’s pass.

Karen doesn’t know, but talks in a different direction. Even if the lich is stronger than expected, Noah likely won’t budge. Even if he does, another extra test follows. No thanks.

“I didn’t teach Decal wind magic, but wind spirits. Their power peaks in open fields or forests, but dungeons are different. Even the freest wind spirits are nearly powerless indoors.”

“So, I can’t call Isti if it’s dangerous?”

“Yeah. I can’t save darling. That alone worries me.”

“…”

Isti’s concern is valid. We faced trouble in Black Forest despite confidence. Is there any good way to leisurely have creampie s9x with Karen while framing it as hero selection prep?

As I stay silent, Isti says, “I know I spoke one-sidedly, but…”

She trails off.

“I know. You’re worried about me, right?”  

“Yeah.”  

“You came to figure out what to do, didn’t you? No need to overthink.”  

Something good seems to flicker in my mind, just out of reach.  

“Let’s train, Big Bro.”  

Karen suddenly speaks up.  

“Train?”  

“Level up!”  

Ah, so that’s where this is going.  

Level up to take down Liches. Classic.  

But… is it that easy?  

I check my status after a while.  

[Name: Decal  

Lv: 129  

Status:

[HP] 6877/6877  

[MP] 8871/8871  

Stats:

Strength 556 | Magic 787 | Stamina 551 | Agility 501  

Beleira’s Blessing (True) 「Fire immunity, boosted fire magic power, all skill proficiency ++」  

Agent of the Goddess 「Communicate in all languages, read all scripts. Qualified to cross worlds.」   

Wind Spirit 「Summon wind or alter air currents with spirit power.」  

Skills  

Fire Ball (★☆) – Mid-tier fire magic with strong power. Burns enemies.  

Fire Enchant (★★★) – Imbues objects with fire attributes.  

Search (★★☆) – Skill to spot and analyze traces through careful observation.] 

“My level’s 129. Karen?”  

“I’m 91!”  

“Isti, what should we hunt to level up fast?”  

“Minotaurs, Skeleton Warriors. Probably up to 150.”  

“Fighting those sounds insanely risky.”  

Isti nods silently.  

Even if Isti takes the lead to level up, Karen’s level stays put.  

The danger doesn’t change much. But Karen’s idea to level up doesn’t seem wrong. 

Maybe it’s the best way.  

Get stronger, overcome.  

We eat meat in silence for a while. 

Then Isti speaks, “If you’re going to a dungeon, I want at least two of you to escape dangerous situations reliably.”  

“You mean, even if we can’t win, we should be good at escaping?”  

“Close enough. So, I’ll teach you both my unique skill, 〈Space Leap〉.”  

“Really!?”  

Karen jumps up.  

All eyes in the restaurant turn to her.  

“Because Karen protected Darling. This is my thanks.”  

“An elf’s unique skill…that’s priceless, no matter how much money you have!”  

I glance at Isti, “You okay with this, Isti?”  

“If Darling aimed to be a hero candidate, I’d have taught it before the Black Forest. But it takes time to learn.”  

“How much time?”  

“Usually three years.”  

Even for a unique skill, training that long is tough.  

“But with me assisting as a Wind Spirit, I can drastically cut the training time. To use it in emergencies, one week should do.”  

“One week.”  

Karen’s eyes sparkle, “I’d learn it even if it took three years, Isti!”  

“In return, protect Darling when I’m not around.”  

“That’s my job. Trust me!”  

Isti gives a faint smile, liking Karen’s bold attitude.  

Good vibe here. Should I nudge it along?  

“You’re learning skills together now. Why not speak casually? Isti, you cool with that?”  

Isti nods.  

“You’re friends from today. Both of you.”  

“Friends? That’s…”  

Isti starts to protest, but Karen hugs her.  

“Isti! Thank you!”  

“…”  

Karen’s blunt honesty is like a headbutt.  

That childlike purity seems to crack Isti’s stiff demeanor.  

They look like they could be great friends.  

Isti, flustered by pure kindness; Karen, open and honest.  

“I’ll learn it hard!”  

“Of course. It’s an elf’s skill.”  

Watching them, a warm smile forms.  

I realize my worries are resolved.  

“Time for special training.”  

A fun thought hits.  

Pregnancy s9x with Karen. No need to do it messily in a dungeon.  

Special training gives us an excuse to spend long hours together.  

“Isti, how about training at the Eight-Colored Clam Castle?”  

“Yeah, I think that’s good. There’ll be no interruptions, and it’s spacious.”  

“Eight-Colored Clam Castle?” Karen tilts her head slightly.  

“Karen, look at this.”  

Snap.  

I snap my fingers, putting Karen in a trance.  

Isti munches meat, watching blankly.  

“Special training requires s9x.”  

“Re… quired…”  

“You must diligently have s9x with me to get pregnant.”  

“Big Bro… s9x…”  

“Heh heh heh.”  

I’m already thrilled.  

“…Darling.” Isti frowns, maybe feeling uncomfortable.  

Oops, am I being too blatant?  

“Not a topic for the dinner table, huh?”  

Isti stares at me.  

“I want to be the first to carry Darling’s baby.”  

Her unexpected words hit my heart hard.  

Barely steadying my trembling voice, I say, “After all that spunk inside, hasn’t it happened already?”  

“My ancestors say elves have low pregnancy odds.”  

“So, shall we keep going until it’s certain?”  

“Yeah. Lots.”  

“Hm. How about taking turns?”  

With Karen in a trance, Isti and I seriously discuss who’ll get pregnant first.  

Even as we talk, I wonder what this situation is. But Isti and I are dead serious.  

“If I say I want to be the first to take your load inside… is that too greedy?”  

“Not at all. Anything else?”  

“…”  

Isti grips her hands on her lap, mustering courage, “When you release inside, say you love me…”  

“…”  

“Twice!”  

Twice?  

I’d say I love her ten, a hundred times.  

As many times as Isti loves hearing it.  

“Deal.”  

I clap to wake Karen.  

“Karen, where were we?”  

“What’s the Eight-Colored Clam Castle?”  

“My place. There’ll be no disturbances. It’s big, nice. Let’s train there for a week.”  

“Yeah!”  

Karen flashes a bright smile, showing white teeth.  

“I’ll train hard, learn Isti’s unique skill, and have tons of s9x with Big Bro to get pregnant… Huh? Wait?”  

“What?”  

“Hmm~?” Karen tilts her head, not sensing the oddity.  

Isti, watching quietly, speaks, “Karen, competing to get pregnant with Darling’s load is a key part of training.”  

“You and Big Bro are lovers, right? If he releases inside me, won’t you mind?”  

“It’s fine. Darling’s happiness matters more. He wants this.”  

“Even with that receptionist…”  

I feel it. 

Karen’s mind is clashing with dissonance.  

Like everything’s sucked into a gravitational warp. Her common sense shifts to fit absurd suggestions, unaware of the strangeness.  

Powerful hypnosis.  

“…Got it.”  

If Isti’s about devotion and love, what’s Karen?  

“I’ll work hard at pregnancy s9x with Big Bro and proudly become a hero candidate!”  

Karen declares boldly.  

She’ll pour all her effort into s9x with me.