Returning to her own residence.
Sylvia dispelled her armor, withdrew her draconic features, and in casual attire, flopped face-first onto the sofa.
Acheron took a seat beside her.
She turned her head to look at Sylvia lying prone on the couch, her rear slightly raised in the air, along with her pale, slender, and perfectly straight legs.
After Sylvia had kicked off her socks, Acheron could faintly make out a thin sheen of sweat on those pale, delicate feet.
Her crystal-clear toes rested on the sofa's armrest, fidgeting restlessly.
Acheron reached out and gave Sylvia's shorts-clad backside a light pat.
"You should go wash up first."
"Mmgh… let me rest a bit. My whole body aches."
Sylvia lazily raised a hand and waved it dismissively.
During the final confrontation with Phantylia, channeling such immense power—even though the Abundance's blessing had prevented any serious injury—left her utterly sore now that they were back.
Having leaned on Acheron all the way home, Sylvia just wanted to sprawl on the sofa and do absolutely nothing.
Hearing Sylvia's soft, pained grumbles, Acheron relaxed into a gentle smile.
She then reached out, pinched the smooth flesh of Sylvia's thigh, and began to knead and rub it softly.
A tingling, electric sensation caused Sylvia's lower body to shiver involuntarily twice.
Her face slightly flushed, she turned her head to look at Acheron.
"…What are you doing?"
"Helping you with a massage?"
Acheron leaned in, her hands moving freely, even going so far as to lift the hem of Sylvia's shirt and slide her hand underneath.
"Doesn't look like a proper massage to me…"
Sylvia muttered, her cheeks reddening, yet she had no strength to resist in her current state.
She could only lie passively on the sofa, enduring Acheron's ministrations.
"It's very proper. I'm just not very skilled, and I was afraid I wouldn't do it right through your clothes."
Acheron stated matter-of-factly, even going so far as to peel off Sylvia's top.
Then, she straddled Sylvia's hips, settling on her rear, and began to escalate her actions.
"…"
Sylvia's face burned crimson. She pressed her lips together and glared at Acheron.
Her whole body ached, movement was difficult, and now Acheron was touching her all over—the tingling sensations were both itchy and strange.
Moreover, Acheron clearly had no technique or skill to speak of; Sylvia might as well have massaged herself.
At least then she might have gotten some relief.
More importantly, this woman wasn't just massaging; she was taking liberties.
Openly groping around with an utterly innocent expression on her face.
She really deserved to be taught a lesson.
Sylvia dearly wanted to flip over, pin Acheron down, and pay her back in kind.
But alas, she couldn't manage even the slightest turn…
The slightest effort only resulted in a pained grunt, forcing her to slump back down.
Like a dead fish.
Watching Sylvia squirm and wriggle on the sofa, Acheron thought her massage might be too forceful.
"What are you doing? Am I pressing too hard?"
"…No."
Sylvia buried her face, escaping reality. She really didn't want to admit she had been trying to struggle and turn over.
Better change the subject.
Acheron hadn't been around every day lately, often only meeting for a meal or a night's rest every few days.
They hadn't had many chances to talk.
"Speaking of which… Mei, you've become much livelier compared to when we first met."
Sylvia tilted her head, looking at Mei from the corner of her eye.
Usually, her bangs covered one eye, but now, with her head lowered, Sylvia could see her whole face. An impulse struck her to give Mei a neat, straight-across fringe.
"Using 'lively' to describe me?"
Acheron was first taken aback, then found it both absurd and amusing.
All sorts of people had consciously or unconsciously used various terms to describe the Acheron they perceived.
Aloof, terrifying, powerful, kind-hearted, and so on…
But 'lively'? Even back in Izumo, she doubted anyone had ever described her that way.
Faced with Acheron's surprise, Sylvia explained with a smile:
"Compared to your expressionless self back then, now you often smile, say quirky things, and take the initiative to do some rather bold stuff. I think compared to before, you can definitely be called livelier."
In Sylvia's eyes, the change in Acheron was plain to see. Like back when they first met, this person would absolutely never have wrapped an arm around her waist in the middle of a fight, in front of others, and refused to let go.
Acheron, looking into Sylvia's eyes, realized what this person meant by 'bold stuff.'
Unconsciously, the pressure from her hands increased a little.
"Ow—!! Be gentler!"
Along with Sylvia's yelp, Acheron smiled and said, "That little girl from the Astral Express was looking at you funny."
"…Which one?"
Sylvia asked through gritted teeth, confused.
Who? March 7th?
Wasn't she the comic relief? Besides, there was no ambiguous atmosphere between her and Sylvia.
As for Stelle?
Wasn't she just a silly little gray-haired goofball?
"The Stellaron one. Stelle, right?"
Saying this, Acheron suddenly leaned down, bringing her lips close to Sylvia's ear.
With a warm breath accompanying her words, Acheron whispered softly, "When she approached back then, she wanted to call you 'wifey,' didn't she? Even though you glared her down, I could tell."
"…Uh."
Sylvia's body stiffened, and she awkwardly averted her eyes.
"Th-that was an accident…"
"I'm listening to your excuses."
"…"
Sylvia felt like crying but had no tears. She mentally plotted how to give the little gray-haired one a hard time next they met.
Verbally, however, she quickly and succinctly recounted the events on Herta Space Station, within the Simulated Universe.
Of course, she had already told Acheron about Aha before.
So this time, she emphasized that after that incident, Stelle found it amusing and insisted on using that nickname herself.
It had absolutely nothing to do with her!
"…She really started calling me that on her own. You know how kids are, right?"
"Mhm—"
Acheron lifted her hand and gave Sylvia's behind another light pat, responding noncommittally.
Then, she swung her legs off the sofa, reached down, and scooped Sylvia up into her arms in a princess carry.
"What are you doing?!"
Sylvia was startled, thinking Acheron had finally decided to stop suppressing her inner desires and was about to have her way with her.
But Acheron merely looked down at Sylvia with an amused gaze.
At this moment, Sylvia's flushed little face was glistening with a thin layer of sweat.
Her smooth skin had also taken on a rosy hue from the massage and, combined with the perspiration, took on a slight, dewy sheen.
Especially those small feet—on the pale, delicate skin, all the toes were curled tightly together in nervous tension.
Translucent beads of sweat traced the curve of her arch.
They looked as if just emerged from water, tempting Acheron to reach out and give them a squeeze.
Moreover, the intimate garments still clinging to Sylvia's body were gradually darkening in spots with dampness.
"You're all sweaty. You really need to wash up."
Acheron said, acting utterly unperturbed, and carried Sylvia toward the bathroom.
But Sylvia couldn't shake the feeling that the way Acheron had just looked her over was anything but proper.
Ah well…
She was used to it.
It wasn't until Sylvia was carried into the bathroom that she suddenly realized with a start.
"I didn't grab any clothes!"
"It's fine. There's no one else home."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.