• Chapter 10 : For me, that night felt like a dream.

Going on a walk with her was one of the best experiences of his life.

Time flowed peacefully as he walked with her through the illuminated streets.

It was a sight they would have never been able to experience had they remained a soldier and a top executive.

Satis and Seto burned the view into their memories.

At that moment, in this area free of conflicts, they could feel their own hearts relaxing.

[How pretty! I’ve never been on a stroll like this before.] (Satis)

[Yeah, I agree…] (Seto)

There were all sorts of faces among the people they passed by.

Some were tired from work and staggering back home, and others were drunken adventurers who were vigorously going from one bar to the next.

Their lives blended into the light of the city, adding one layer of depth to its bustling atmosphere.

The strong aroma of liquor and food that wafted through the air from time to time, the enthusiasm produced by the people, and the unique and powerful rhythms and swinging music that could be heard from place to place.

All of these formed a single world.

And in the midst of all this, Satis, who was walking beside the boy, seemed to be shining brightly.

Her figure appeared more glamorous as she walked, with the glow of her skin shimmering in the city lights.

Her outfit was already so revealing as it was that rather than a small evening stroll, it looked more like a passionate time between a man and a woman.

Seto, who was having those feelings for the first time, endured them while seemingly protecting Satis from her surroundings as they walked.

This scene was like something out of a fairy tale.

So much so that the boy was wondering if he was not in the middle of a dream.

Is this… what they call… a normal life? (Seto)

They walked for a while before returning to the inn.

This day was regrettably drawing to a close.

They would go to sleep and welcome a new tomorrow.

Seto felt slightly frustrated as he wished to experience the atmosphere of the night a bit longer, but he was indeed tired and needed rest.

And so did Satis, surely enough.

…But just as they entered the room with the intent to go to sleep, they realized that there was only one bed.

Since Satis was the one who checked in, Seto had no idea what sort of room they got.

[I’m sorry, this was their last available room.] (Satis)

Slightly dingy white walls decorated with a painting drawn by some artist.

A single carpet on the floor, and a table on top of it.

It was not a luxurious room, but for Seto, it was more than enough.

[No problem. I’ll sleep on the floor, you can use the bed.] (Seto)

Seto said it as if it were a matter of course, but Satis refused.

[That’s out of the question. After all the trouble we went through to find a room, I won’t let you sleep on the floor.] (Satis)

[…No but, no matter how you slice it, aren’t you the one who should use the bed? Or do you want to sleep on the floor?] (Seto)

[That’s not what I meant. …Why don’t we both use it?] (Satis)

——Seto paused.

For a moment, he could not compute what the woman in front of him was saying.

[Huh? Use? …Hm?] (Seto)

[No, like I said… Let’s sleep on the bed together.] (Satis)

[EEEEHHH!?] (Seto)

[Oh? Could it be that… you’re feeling shy? Ahaha! You’re adorable!] (Satis)

[No… I mean… You’re okay with it!?] (Seto)

[I don’t really mind. As long as it’s with you, okay?] (Satis)

Satis smiled teasingly.

Seto wondered with a look of embarrassment and shame if this was what they called “an adult’s composure”.

Even though he had pretty much never been involved with women so far, he somehow received an invitation from the raving beauty in front of him.

Nevermind his relations with the opposite sex, all his interpersonal relationships were somewhat questionable, so there was no way for him to know how to deal with such a situation.

[What’s the matter~? Could it be that… someone here is having indecent thoughts~?] (Satis)

[Eh!? No, I’m not…! I just…!] (Seto)

[Touching me is a no-no, okay?] (Satis)

She then used spatial magic to open a hole that looked like an entrance, and walked into it.

It was apparently to change into her nightwear.

In the meantime, Seto took off his equipment and other items to make himself comfortable.

Then he sat on the edge of the bed, head in hands, and pondering.

I… I’ve never faced a situation like this before! Even the adults never taught me about it! (Seto)

Meanwhile, Satis reappeared while yawning.

The top and bottom were mainly black, but still as revealing as her usual outfit.

The top was a tube top that covered her ample bosom, with a pair of loose-fitting shorts.

Her usual ponytail was undone, and her glasses were stored away.

Upon seeing Satis as he had never seen her before, Seto subconsciously froze up.

Am I gonna have to sleep in this situation? Right next to Satis in that outfit…? ——No way I can do that! (Seto)

A sense of resignation in Seto told him that he would not be able to sleep tonight.

Perhaps it was due to the overdose of stimulation, but he stopped thinking entirely.

[Oh my. Aren’t you going to say something? Like, “That looks good on you”, maybe.] (Satis)

[…What do grown-ups do at times like this?] (Seto)

[I have no idea, either~.] (Satis)

She said so in a playful tone, and sat down on the bed so she would be back-to-back with him.

[…I see you’re not looking my way.] (Satis)

[D… Don’t tease me…] (Seto)

[I did say you couldn’t touch me, but I didn’t say you couldn’t look at me, you know?] (Satis)

Satis giggled at the boy, who was blushing hard and seemed vulnerable.

She was completely leading him by the nose.

He was once again made aware of the strength of the woman who was once his enemy.

[Now, shall we go to sleep?] (Satis)

[No, I don’t think I’ll be able to.] (Seto)

[Don’t worry, I guarantee that you will have a good night’s sleep.] (Satis)

He found that hard to believe, but for the time being, he decided to lie down.

He was on his back, and staring at the ceiling with his eyes wide open.

One glance at Satis sleeping right next to him, and he would find himself unable to sleep for sure.

Just after he had resigned himself to not moving a muscle until morning, he smelled a gentle and pleasant perfume.

It must have been the aroma of flowers or something, but either way, it made him feel extremely relaxed.

The tension in his body began to leave his body, and a vague feeling of drowsiness began to overtake him.

He had no idea what was happening.

But he could not think too deeply about it either.

At that moment, Satis, who was lying down next to Seto, caressed his cheek with her left hand.

Then she whispered to him in a sweet, gentle tone.

[I told you, didn’t I? That you would sleep well.] (Satis)

[Ah… T… This… is…] (Seto)

[Just using a little spell. ——Now, let yourself go. It’s okay… Nothing here will hurt you. So you’re free to rest. …That’s a good boy.] (Satis)

[Ah… Uh…] (Seto)

Because he kept facing upward, he could not see her face.

And even if he wanted to, he could no longer move a muscle.

Seto fell into a carefree slumber while enveloped in her warmth and fragrance.

His light snoring echoed silently in the dim room.

As the moonlight penetrated into the room through the window and curtains, Satis continued to stroke Seto’s head as he slept.

[…Honestly, this boy is such a handful.] (Satis)

Her smile was full of “affection”.

It was a new expression that she would have never been able to show back in the Demon King’s army.

The heart that was once broken by the terrible violence she suffered.

The new feelings she had developed so far since her meeting with Seto.

And the affection that Satis, who had never loved anyone, allowed herself to direct at him.

With a smile on her face, she closed her eyelids and fell asleep.

The city that was once so full of life was now silent.

The moonlight and the darkness provided them with the same amount of rest.

Which lasted until the next morning…