Chapter 76: The Elves’ Common Sense Of Persistence

After coming up to the surface…with a sly smile as if nothing had happened, I waved to Ellie and Lydia and then turned around.

For some reason, Lemon and Apple were standing side by side in the ‘at ease’ posture, filled with tension.

What’s this? Are they asking for a belly punch?

Tak, tak.

I feigned punching their stomachs for no reason. Then, twisting their bodies and making strange noises, Lemon and Apple reacted.

“Aah! That’s a no-go zone…”

“Sir Jonah is sneaky…”

“No, isn’t it just the stomach?”

“Have you not considered that it might not be the stomach?”

“It’s covered by clothes. Maybe it’s lower than what Sir Jonah thinks…”

“Nonsense.”

Flap.

With a snort at Apple’s nonsense, I simultaneously lifted the hem of their clothes.

As one would expect, all that was visible was a flawless, white belly without a trace of fat.

They don’t have muscles like Ellie, nor the firmness of Lydia. They just have a thin and delicate feel.

Of course, that didn’t mean I would spare them.

“Ayy!”

Slap! Slap!

Jonah’s stomach slap! The effect was tremendous…

“Kyah?!”

“Heeit!”

Could it be that they never expected to be suddenly hit directly in the stomach? The two cringed with a shrill scream.

In Pangrave, a world where gender roles are reversed and women’s exposure is tolerated, such a reaction is rare.

Well. Thinking about it the other way, if some woman suddenly lifted my clothes and hit my stomach, I might make a similar sound…or maybe not. Yeah.

I would have just made surprised noises like ‘Wow! Heuk!’ Not such a sharp shriek.

“Hmm. What’s with that sexy sound. Don’t tell me you feel aroused when you get hit?”

“No, not at all! What are you talking about!”

“What kind of talk is this in a public place…!”

The two of them cover their bellies and scream shrilly.

Could it be that they are unaware that such reactions draw more attention?

Chuckling, I lightly slapped both of their buttocks.

Bang!

“Heeyang!”

“Why, why again….”

Words spoken in grievance. Yet, there’s a peculiarly heightened tone in their voices that sounded as if they didn’t seem to entirely dislike it.

After all, in this world, it might be understandable if a woman hits a man’s buttocks, but a man hitting a woman’s buttocks can be taken as a joke.

Especially since I appear as young as a child. Thinking weirdly in this situation would be the odd thing.

…Lemon and Apple do seem a bit odd though.

“Hee…hee. Heehee.”

“The threads of fate, even a foot-wiper can be a power wielder…heehee.”

The two gazing blankly into space, giggling foolishly. Having seen them tied up in the Labyrinth whenever I run into them, I had suspected…and indeed, they clearly have a peculiar fetish.

I sighed deeply and took the lead.

“Ah…it’s settled, so come quickly. I need to go to Eden.”

“Ah! You can’t go alone!”

“We will protect you.”

“…?”

For a moment, I hesitated, wondering what I had just heard.

“Protect?”

“Yes!”

“Sir Jonah must not get hurt!”

“You guys?”

“What, what is the problem?”

“If you tell us, we will correct it.”

“Me?”

“…Ah.”

“That’s too mean…”

Only then did they realize the reality and their shoulders sagged heavily. The reason is simple. I am stronger than the combination of Lemon and Apple…!

“Do you understand the difference in our strength?”

“……”

“……”

I shrugged once and then slowed down a bit, walking side by side with them and said,

“I roughly understand what you’re thinking. You’ve already owed your life twice, so it seems like you want to do something…but let’s skip the unnecessary. Just continue as you were.”

“Ah. Now that I think about it…”

“Shh. Keep it down, Lemon.”

Lemon seemed to have realized something and was about to mutter when Apple stopped her. Well, it’s probably not that important.

“Last time, Miss Eve had to cover for the price of our life, but since she used up all her extra money, this time we might have to rob a store if there’s no other way.”

“That, that’s right!”

“If we mess up, the Boss might go bankrupt!”

“…No. Are you planning to cling to Miss Eve to the point of bankruptcy? Aren’t you ashamed as an adult?”

Lemon and Apple, rolling their eyes and keeping their mouths shut. After all, what can you expect from novice adventurers who had just cleared their thug life and are trying to live earnestly by entering the Labyrinth?

“Fine. I wasn’t planning to ask for money this time either. Just keep one thing in mind.”

“Whatever you say, just say it.”

“I will definitely keep it!”

“It’s nothing. Just keep everything that happened today a secret.”

“Everything means…”

“What do you mean by ‘everything’?”

“Literally everything. Who captured you, how you were rescued, the enemies we fought today, the outcomes, and so on. Everything.”

Upon hearing this, Lemon and Apple both nodded in unison.

“I understand. I swear it.”

“Even if I die, I’ll keep today’s events secret from the Boss too.”

“That’s the right attitude. But it’s okay to make an exception for Miss Eve.”

“Eh. Why is that?”

“As expected, the Boss and you….”

Lemon blinked dumbly, while Apple smirked meaningfully. Whatever they were imagining, it was clearly wrong.

“What do you mean why, you fool. Remember the promise I made with Miss Eve last time?”

“Uh… is it showing the Dagger every time we meet?”

“It was about proving whether we still have the V card!”

“Neither, you idiots! Is that all you have in your heads?!”

Smack!

I struck both Lemon and Apple on the head simultaneously. The sound resonated unusually loud, though it didn’t seem like I hit them hard.

“Ugh.”

“Kkeung.”

And the twin elves acting as if the impact was great, clutched their foreheads and groaned.

“Uh…uh?”

This was not what I intended?

Confused, I looked down at my hand. Naturally, my forearm looked slender, almost delicate, and my skin was pale as if it had never seen sunlight, soft without a single callus to greet me.

In other words, nothing special had changed. If I had to point out a difference…

“Aha?”

It must be the Labyrinth’s growth reward.

This time, instead of dealing with various minor monsters, didn’t I defeat the Floor Guardian alone? There was also the single Mentor class member of The One Who Devours the Twilight…Cena, who I killed with my own hands.

Pure combat experience, the achievement of being the first to summon a Floor Guardian, and even the boss solo kill achievement.

All of this combined must have contributed to my growth, and with the power of Basilieus I gained this time, the growth rate has inflated even more.

It wouldn’t be strange to say that my physical abilities have increased dramatically without me knowing.

“…Did it hurt a lot? I’m having a bit of trouble controlling my strength right now. Sorry.”

“It’s okay now.”

“Rather than my head, I’m fine with you hitting my butt whenever you think of it.”

“What?”

“…Actually, it seems like Apple is the most dangerous, so I’m running away!”

“Hehehe. Do you think being a lemon makes you any different? I know you’ll be the first to join in when the chance comes.”

Lemon, shocked, and Apple, who no longer hides her preferences.

As usual, the sight of them brought a sigh of relief.

“Haah… You seem fine, so that’s good. Let’s just go.”

“Let’s, let’s go together!”

“I’m not into neglect play!”

Hurriedly, with the two in tow, we headed towards Eden.

Jingle.

As the door opens, a clear bell rings.

Items displayed haphazardly without any unity. The smell of grass wafting from pots placed here and there, and from a small back room, a sinister(not)-looking, old, narrowed-eye elf, coming to greet us with a dripping dagger.

“Oh? I thought a rare guest had come after such a long time, but it’s Mr. Jonah? Nice to see you. What brings you here today? Surely Lemon and Apple haven’t done anything wrong?”

Tsk! An interruption(X)

Pleased to see you(O)

Even now, the blood-stained dagger dripping dark red blood as if it had been soaked in someone, and the few splatters on the always smiling merchant’s face are incredibly worrisome…but surely it’s nothing serious.

She forced a smile and shook her head. Lemon and Apple also gasped and followed suit, shaking their heads.

“Of course not. I came to share some good news.”

“It’s, it’s a secret! It’s a blade that only spares lives!”

“Stupid Lemon! At times like this, you should just say it’s okay! Do you want to be the Boss’s next prey?!”

Eve, breathing as if slandered. I cautiously asked her, shifting the topic.

“Miss Eve. What exactly is that dagger? It keeps dripping blood, which is a bit scary….n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“It’s nothing serious. I was just tending to a good child that came in.”

“A good child, you say…?”

“Of course, it’s a Mandragora.”

“……”

Talking as if she’s just casually sacrificed something. Well, since a Mandragora’s fluid is red too, that must be why there are traces left.

Well, Eve is originally like that, so it’s expected, but it’s a bit disheartening nonetheless.

I chuckled and naturally sank into the sofa.

“Miss Eve. I have something important to discuss. Do you have a moment?”

“If Sir Jonah says it’s that important, I’ll have to make time.”

Let’s hear what you have to say (X)

Is it a proposal?! (O)

Hmm. Today, as usual, I casually ignored my malfunctioning internal translator. Instead, I materialized Basilieus with the meager platypus tear-like amount of divine power that had recovered.

Whoosh!

A crude ash tree crown is placed upon my head, glowing faintly green.

Clang!

Eve, realizing whose power it was, opens her eyes wide and drops her dagger. Then, with a trembling voice, she stammers on.

“F-for it to actually be a proposal…!”

Did the Floor Guardian of the first floor actually exist!(X)

For the power of the World Tree to appear now!(X)

“…?”

Something seems off?