Consciousness returned fully. The bed was comfortable, but lingering guilt prodded Master to sit up. No back pain remained. Fam's kunai wound healed completely.
"Fam," he called softly, "can Cecily and Ayla sit in chairs?" He sought her permission, still navigating the complex dynamics of ownership.
Fam nodded. "Yes."
Mizuki promptly fetched chairs. Cecily and Ayla moved stiffly from their rigid kneeling posture, stretching numb legs with relieved gasps. Beers seemed fine earlier, Master noted. Used to this punishment?
Mizuki returned with the chairs just as Myra re-entered, followed by an elderly priest. Tall, with streaks of gray in his hair and beard, the priest radiated an aura of unassailable authority.
"Lord Mash," the priest began, his voice leaving no room for refusal, "I must inspect your character sheet immediately."
Master resisted the urge to refuse. Can't lie here. He reluctantly displayed only the identification portion of his status.
"The full sheet, please," the priest insisted, his gaze unwavering.
"Mash, please," Myra echoed, her eyes wide with reverence. "Show me too."
No choice. Master sighed, resigning himself as he revealed his full status. The priest and Myra leaned in, muttering as they scanned the screen.
"Three Blessings... one is Goddess Summon..." they whispered in unison before exchanging a solemn nod.
"...Profound thanks," the priest intoned, dropping to one knee. Fam's daily morning prayers flickered in Master's mind. Certified authentic, then. This level of devotion... unsettling, but harmless?
"Lord Mash—no, Mash-sama," the priest corrected himself, rising. "The Church stands ready to assist you. We have prepared chambers within the temple. Will you grace us with your presence?"
The pressure was palpable, an offer impossible to refuse. But I don't want this. "Ah, no," Master stammered, forcing a polite decline. "I appreciate the offer, but I wish to continue my adventures... quietly."
"...Understood." The priest's expression shifted, calculating. "In that case, might we impose a single servant?"
"Servant?" Master echoed warily.
"This one, Myra," the priest stated, tapping Myra's shoulder. "She will cause no disturbance. Simply remain by your side."
"The Church will serve Mash-sama through Myra," the priest declared, bowing deeply. Imposing the impossible, then offering a compromised solution, Master realized. The priest's power is absolute, but a real goddess and her spokesperson appeared. He can't refuse, but he won't cede influence. He 'offers' Myra as a collaborator while minimizing the Church's direct role. Clever. He gets eyes on me, I get… Myra.
"Is that acceptable?" Master asked Myra directly. "We leave for Miglut tomorrow, possibly the next day."
"Of course, Mash-sama," Myra beamed, her earlier intensity softening into genuine warmth. "Though rushed, I will prepare."
The priest took his leave, the unspoken power play settled.
"Now, Cecily and Ayla..." Master began, turning back to the ex-Wind Blade members. Mizuki shot him a suspicious look. This keeps getting complicated. Darkness had fallen outside.
"Apologies," Master addressed the women, "but as stated, we're leaving for Miglut. I don't know how long the journey takes, but I will free you from slavery there. Is that acceptable?"
"...Is that truly alright?" Cecily asked, hope warring with disbelief in her eyes.
Master nodded firmly. "I understand," Cecily sighed, relief easing her tension. "We couldn't remain in this city anyway. We will serve you, even in Miglut." She looked at Ayla.
"May I leave Ayla to me?" Myra interjected smoothly. "Of course, I will accompany you to Miglut. And," she added with a sly glance at Master, "I shall pretend to be Ayla and provide any… naughty services required."
"..." Master was momentarily speechless. Did she just volunteer for that? Mizuki looked horrified.
"...Myra-san, I am truly sorry," Mizuki managed. "Please forgive him."
"Yes," Myra replied, her smile enigmatic. "I was quite surprised earlier. However, I cannot allow Mash-sama's slave to perform such duties indefinitely."
Mizuki bristled. "Hey! Why are you making me the villain?" She shot Master a warning glare. She'll attack if I show weakness.
"Indeed," Myra continued, ignoring Mizuki, "but Ayla is also a monk, capable of serving the gods. This situation presents a valuable opportunity." She turned to Ayla. "Is that acceptable to you, Ayla?"
"I wish to remain in this city," Ayla stated quietly, her voice firm. "Near Reid. I must find a way to secure his release from prison."
Of course. Master felt a headache coming on. Loyal to Reid. Persuading her will be a nightmare. "I understand," he conceded, the weight of responsibility pressing down. "Very well, Ayla. You may stay."
"No," "Absolutely not," Fam and Mizuki protested simultaneously.
"I object as well," Fam stated, her voice cold. "Please, order Ayla to accompany you to Miglut, Master."
Why are they making me the bad guy? Master sighed internally. Disciplining me into playing this role?
"It is acceptable," Ayla interjected before Master could respond. "I will accompany you even without an order."
This is getting cold, Master thought, feeling the chill in the room.
"Lady Mash," Myra pressed gently, "please order Ayla to forget about Reid."
"I dislike that," Master said, a flicker of his own irritation rising. "I decide when and how to use the slave crest. I won't be instructed on it."
"My apologies." Myra bowed her head, but Master caught a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. She wanted me to refuse. To establish I'm in charge, not her. To prevent Ayla from only listening to Myra and neglecting me.
These breasts are going to be trouble, Master thought, glancing at Myra's significant assets. But Ayla saved me when I collapsed that first day. The memory softened his resolve. It's sad.
"Do you have money?" Master asked Cecily and Ayla. Both shook their heads. "Reid likely has all your belongings in his Storage. I'll retrieve it tomorrow."
"I'll arrange our departure to Miglut," Master continued. "You two should head to the inn now."
"Asukatei," Cecily answered.
"No," Master corrected. "The inn where the successive Beers stayed is fine."
The women looked crestfallen. "You're joking?" Cecily murmured. "Can the two of us share a room?"
Master nodded, handing them a silver coin. "For tonight. Go." They left, shoulders slumped.
"Mizuki-san, aren't you returning to the inn either?" Master asked.
"Muh," Mizuki grumbled, eyeing Myra and Fam. "I know you three seem to be bonding, but leaving friends behind..."
"My apologies," Myra bowed deeply, her tone sincere. "I merely wished a private word with Mash-sama and Fam. I won't keep her long."
"...Understood," Mizuki sighed. "I'll wait outside the room." She left, closing the door softly behind her.
"Now, Fam," Myra began, her demeanor shifting to earnestness. "There's something I wished to tell Mash-sama. And to you."
Fam looked curious. "What is it?"
"I wish Mash-sama to stop calling me 『Myra-san』," Myra stated. "I would like to take this opportunity to request it."
"Huh? Understood," Master said, relieved. "So, when it's just us, or with Fam, call me Mash. Mash, you call me Myra too. Fam calls me Fam, so please, Myra from now on. 『Sister』 is acceptable."
Good, Master thought. Less confusing than 'Femme'.
"Now, Fam," Myra continued, turning fully to the dog-eared girl, her expression serious. "May I become Mash-sama's lover too?"
"Eh?" Fam gasped, her eyes wide as she stared at Myra, then whipped her head around to look at Master. She wants me to confess first? Master thought, flustered. Of course it's okay… but…
"Please don't ask me," Fam stammered, blushing furiously. "Just think that the Lord is good." She avoided Myra's gaze.
"I want Fam to answer too," Myra pressed gently. "Because I like Fam as well."
"Wah! I like you too, oh, Sister!" Fam exclaimed, flustered. "...But... no, you should go out with Master."
"Gah, Fam-chan! Suki ski!" Myra cried out, her earlier formality dissolving into enthusiastic delight. She grabbed Fam in a tight hug. "Fam-chan, angry for so long, was so cute! I want to hug you forever!"
Mmm, that looks nice, Master thought, watching Fam get buried in Myra's ample chest. I want to be buried in those too.
"Muh, I'm not angry anymore," Fam mumbled, her voice muffled against Myra. "I'm good friends with the Lord now."
"Hey, Myra," Master interjected, feeling oddly left out. "Don't you want to be my lover? Or are you going to leave me behind and keep talking?"
"Ha, sorry!" Myra released Fam, turning her sparkling eyes back to Master. "Ayla didn't say she was your sister."
"I've spent most of my life in the temple," Myra began, her voice gaining a passionate intensity. "Serving God. I read countless myths, legends of gods appearing. I admired it deeply, but doubted... doubted they were real. So many were grand dramatizations. Myths were myths, folklore was folklore, fiction." She leaned forward, her eyes locked onto Master's. "But today… I saw Lady Lachchel. I trembled with awe, with feeling. Well, it was a shame the spear was pointed at Ayla. But Mash… you proved myths and folklore are not fiction. I now stand at the heart of living mythology." Her voice dropped to a reverent whisper. "I believe I was born to serve you, Mash-sama. I want to give everything, serve you completely."
That's... heavy, Master thought, overwhelmed. Way too heavy for me.
"But we have to find the Demon King," he warned. "You'll get caught in the battle."
"Yes! I will do my very best to help!" Myra declared, eyes shining with fervor. I need to avoid this at all costs, Master thought desperately.
"I'm just a normal guy," Master protested weakly. "Excessive expectations are... a problem."
"But you love me so much you wanted Ayla to be me, right?" Myra countered, a sly smile playing on her lips.
Ugh, Master groaned internally. She's going to hold that over me forever.
"If that's true, no problem?" Myra pressed. "I can be your lover, right?"
"Fam is the number one, right?" Master clarified, feeling Fam's intense gaze on him.
"Yes, I know," Myra agreed readily.
"Are you... my type?" Master asked, genuinely curious.
"I think Mash-sama's way of thinking is good," Myra replied. "As for my preferences... I prefer younger partners over older ones. Honestly, if Fam were a boy, it would be a deal-breaker."
"Too blunt," Master winced. "Fam, she's a shotacon. Be careful."
"Yes, my Lord is the only one," Fam murmured, looking slightly perturbed.
"That's terrible!" Myra protested. "I only answered honestly because you asked! But it is true that I want to be your lover."
"I understand," Master conceded, feeling the path of least resistance was the only way. "Let's go out together."
"Oh, thank you so much! This is the happiest day of my life! Thank you, Lady Lachchel!" Myra beamed, radiating pure joy. What does 'understanding' even mean here? Master wondered. But it's fine. Thank Lachchel? Well, maybe.Her breasts are going to be trouble though, he thought again, keeping that observation silent.
Mizuki returned to the room. She took in the atmosphere – Myra's radiant happiness, Fam's flustered but contented expression, Master's resigned look – and raised an eyebrow.
"..." She looked at Master, silently demanding an explanation. He could only offer a helpless shrug. Myra, ever practical, produced a simple dinner: bread, ham, salad, and stew. They ate in Myra's room, the earlier tension replaced by a strange, new normal.
"Why Miglut?" Mizuki asked, breaking the silence.
Did I never explain? Master realized. He outlined the need to reach the church there to fully break Fam's curse.
"I think we should plan to stay in Miglut for about a month," Master continued. "Normally, we'd take a horse-drawn carriage, but if there's a caravan escort quest available, that might be better."
"Caravan quest," Mizuki nodded. "I'll ask Mateo & Co. tomorrow."
"Carriages run on fixed schedules," Master mused. "Caravans move when they move, and escorts aren't always needed. Frankly, walking might be less hassle. Either way, we need to leave this city."
"If it's an escort, there will be battles," Mizuki pointed out. "Myra, your class? Monk?"
"It was," Myra confirmed. "Now, Shrine Maiden. Level 34." Still higher than mine, Master noted.
"Did you defeat monsters to level up?" Master asked. "Also, Mizuki, Myra is fine. We're friends now."
"Agreed," Myra smiled. "『Friend』. When I was a Monk, I did delve dungeons. Now, my duties as Shrine Maiden keep me occupied." Do you get XP just from doing your job? Master wondered. Myra caught his gaze and smiled, making him blush. This doesn't feel like a lover relationship. Need to check that status later… maybe while getting buried in those breasts.
"Also," Mizuki brought them back to practicalities, "the party is larger now. We need more money. It's troublesome."
Six people, Master counted mentally. Me, Fam, Mizuki, Myra, Cecily, Ayla. Somehow, I'm the only man.
"That's why," Myra said smoothly, "I am reimbursing the cost of Cecily and Ayla's treatment today. The priest entrusted me with it." She produced a hefty purse. "This should cover our journey to Miglut." The gold coin I bet? There should be over 30 here. Master felt a pang of guilt. Using Fam's money for this...
"There's no problem if the Master uses Fam's portion," Fam stated immediately.
"I'll contribute too," Mizuki added.
"That means the Church receives no charity from us," Master pointed out. "I wanted a relationship without debts."
"...That's true," Mizuki sighed. "Sorry, Myra."
"My apologies," Myra bowed her head. "I acted preemptively. However, I doubt the Church would accept charity from us once Fam's curse is lifted in Miglut. I already possess a letter of introduction from the priest to the church there." She got it while fetching dinner? Too efficient.
"Perhaps I shouldn't take the letter?" Master suggested.
"I am telling you this," Myra said, her tone firm but respectful. "If I do not, my position, my usefulness, vanishes."
"That's right," Master conceded. "Sorry," Mizuki apologized to Myra again.
They finalized their plans: prepare for departure tomorrow. Master, Fam, and Mizuki would stay at Asukatei; Myra would return to the church. With that, they parted ways, the complex negotiations and new relationships settling into an uneasy anticipation for the journey ahead.