Chapter 47: Exposure
How much time has passed? In a room without a single window, you cannot tell how much time has passed. Even if there were a window, one might not be able to tell. It wouldn't be strange if the darkness of night had already covered the city.
Thanks to the one remaining light, they can barely make out what the room looks like.
There are two rooms. The structure is quite luxurious. On the table in the center of the next room is a cup of tea.
This is definitely the room where they had the meal that they remember.
A fine dining room that she had been to before. Jokingly, she asked Ren if he would like to go there again.
Ren's reply was an unexpected "Yes". It was a condition that they could enter without a reservation, but they were able to pass through easily. Even if it was only once, it was no longer a first visit. It was thanks to the thoroughness of the restaurant's thinking.
After the extravagant meal, and then―― Kazuki's thoughts pause.
It is not a dream. She knows that. The warmth of the skin right next to hers cannot be an illusion.
Gently, she reached out her hand to touch the skin. She feels the sculpted muscles in her hand. She lifts her head a little and places it on his strong chest. She felt the slow up-and-down movement. She could feel his heart beating.
"It's not a dream after all"
"What?"
"Ren is here."
"Yes?"
"Because I didn't expect you to accept me."
"You're the one who invited me."
They are on the bed in the back room. They are cuddled up together in a way that they can directly feel each other's skin.
"But I wonder if Ren hates this kind of thing."
"I neither like nor dislike it"
"Hey, I am being held by Ren, right?"
"...Don't ask embarrassing things"
Kazuki's question made Ren look embarrassed.
"I feel like I'm still in a dream."
"Is that so?"
"Why did you hold me?"
“I've never done it before. I thought it was better to have the experience than not to have it."
"That's terrible. I'm a practice run."
"I think I read somewhere that it's better to start with someone experienced."
“Ren says such things lightly.”
Kazuki's experiences were forced upon her. These are experiences that she does not want to recall, but Ren dared to talk about them. This lightness makes Kazuki feel at ease. It is because of Ren that she feels that way.
"Is it no good?"
"I'm fine right now. Because for the first time in a long time, s*x feels good."
"......That's good to know."
Ren is not used to this kind of thing. He didn't know how to answer, so he came up with these words.
"But not yet."
"What?"
"Because I have a lot of experience, you can't understand me at once"
"Eh?"
Saying this, Kazuki mounted on top of Ren. Her hands slide slowly over his chest.
“Right now, at this moment, Ren is mine. Hey, I can do whatever I want, right?"
"……Yeah"
Sinking her hips slowly, Kazuki accepts Ren. As it is, she slowly, slowly wiggles her hips. The movement gradually increases in intensity. A sigh escapes from Kazuki's mouth.
"Ahh... no good. Ren with me... it's no good. Already... no way... ahh..."
“…………”
The one that is no good is Ren. Ren's mind went blank as he heard the lusty Kazuki's moaning.
◇◇◇
They are walking down the street leading to the monastery. There is not a soul in the area. It is still dark, but the eastern sky is becoming dimly lit. It will soon be dawn.
"Fuu, I'm really tired."
Kazuki stretches out while looking at the sky.
"That's my line. It's my first time... I don't even know how many times I've let it out."
Ren tried to count how many times, but he stopped immediately. Because when he tries to count, he naturally recalls the vivid memories in his head.
"That's my line. I don't remember how many times I came."
"...It's already morning. Stop such conversation."
"I'm sorry. I was a little excited."
Kazuki was scolded by Ren, but the smile still spread on her face.
"...You know, I don't think this is the time to say this."
Ren opened his mouth while showing a slightly hesitant look at Kazuki.
"I didn't become your lover. I know that."
"I see."
Before Ren could say a word, Kazuki took the initiative.
"Don't worry about it. Ren accepted my body. I'm happy with just that."
"I don't care about that thing."
Ren thought that Kazuki was referring to her past experiences with men.
"Because it's not. It means that Ren, who hates living people, embraced a body. I can consider that special, can't I?"
"...You know exactly what I'm talking about."
From Kazuki's mouth came words that Ren had never thought of, yet they pierced the truth.
"Somehow"
"I see... then Kazuki is special."
Ren felt that Kazuki was special, not because of the relationship, but because she was able to sense his feelings.
"It's embarrassing when people really say that."
"You asked it yourself."
"Well, that's enough. It's just as well be seen going home in the morning with a man."
The monastery is just a stone's throw away. Kazuki is not a nun, but she decided to be careful. She didn't want to be kicked out of the monastery because she was thought to be impolite.
"That too, I suppose."
"...Well, then"
"Yeah... see you later"
"...Those words. Don't expect it."
Ren's words make her expect the next time, Kazuki has a complicated expression on her face. The words are promising, but there is no specific date.
"Because I promised the children. It will be in three days."
"Ah, I see."
Embarrassed by her own misunderstanding, Kazuki blushes.
''Are you embarrassed about this kind of thing?''
Kazuki, who had just said embarrassing lines without hesitation, now looked embarrassed.
"Is it bad?"
"No... see you later."
"Eh?"
The words "see you later" repeated. Kazuki thought she was mistaken again.
"See you... whenever we feel like it."
Ren's words clearly showed that Kazuki was not misunderstanding.
"...Yes. See you later."
"Well then... with this"
"Yeah, that's all for today..."
The two awkwardly say goodbye. It was a sight that could only be seen between lovers.
◇◇◇
For the first time in a long time, there were many hero-candidate students at the academy. They were the hero candidates of Class A. They were in the safest environment, but they dared to show up at the dangerous academy. The reason for this was that one of the hero candidates called them out.
Without entering their classroom, they gathered at the meeting place, the library.
The one who greeted them was Shizuru.
"I'm sorry you had to come all the way out here."
"Yes, it's very annoying. You know how hard it is to go out, right?"
Mei was the only person who could complain so directly to Shizuru.
"……Sorry"
"Well, it's good to go out once in a while. So why did you call us? What happened?"
"That's... I think I've learned something amazing."
"Don't waste my time, tell me what it is."
Going out once in a while is good for a change of pace, but that's why Mei doesn't feel like wasting her time with idle talk.
"...I understand. It's the Anti-Hero Alliance, but I think its headquarters is the monastery."
"What!?" "Eh!?" "You're kidding!?"
Hearing Shizuru's story, the gathered Hero Candidates all raised their voices in surprise.
They thought that there was a serious reason for her to call them out, but no one expected this.
"I'm not lying. I think the monastery is the hideout of the Anti-Hero Alliance."
"Do you know what you are talking about, lady?"
"I know. That's why I'm consulting with everyone like this."
"...The Director is one of the important person in the church, right?"
"That's right"
From the point of view of the hero candidates, yes, but in reality, not so much. The church's power is in the hands of the cardinal, and the Director, like Bishop Mikhail, is the person in charge of the field. However, a candidate who does not know the structure of the church would not understand.
"She was Shizuru's master, and Shizuru lived in the monastery."
"Yes"
"How are you safe?"
"Eh?"
If the monastery is the hideout of the Anti-Hero Alliance, Mei wonders why Shizuru, who is a Hero Candidate, is safe.
"Because it wouldn't be strange if you were killed first. Why is Shizuru still alive?"
"That's terrible"
Shizuru complains, but Mei's doubts are natural.
"No, I'm asking if it's really the Anti-Hero Alliance."
"I have no doubt about it."
"Do you have proof?"
"I heard the conversation. They were discussing the attack."
"……Other than that?"
If she really heard the conversation, then there is no doubt that the Director is involved with the Anti-Hero Alliance. And since she went to the trouble of summoning them, it would seem that she really did hear what they had said.
However, Mei asked for further evidence.
"I did hear them"
"But is that enough to charge them with a crime? The other party is a bigwig in the church."
"That's right, but"
"In the first place, why did you call us?"
If what Shizuru said was true, Mei would not want to get involved. The current situation makes her think this way.
"I don't have anyone I can talk to. Master is my enemy, you know?"
"That's right. Even if you bring it to the church, it won't be dealt with without evidence. In the worst case, the person you talked to may also be an Anti-Hero Alliance."
"That's right. I heard that too. There are many collaborators in the church. They are using them to kill the heroes."
"Yes... there's a way to tell the guild."
Mei chose the guild as a way to avoid involvement.
"How?"
"Maybe they've already gotten the message. Because it seems they are right by our side."
"Eh?"
"The guild's escort request hasn't finished yet. I could feel it before I came to the academy."
"I see……"
Shizuru didn't feel any sign of it. Whether she doesn't feel their presence or their escort, it's a depressing story.
“Leave the rest to Ren-kun.”
"How is that?"
"...A mistake"
Mei realized her mistake when a voice quickly interrupted her. It was too rash of her to mention Ren's name.
"We are heroes. Why are we relying on adventurers?"
"Then what are you going to do?"
Yuya's words were the usual. Mei asked him, but she already knew the answer.
"We will defeat the Anti-Hero Alliance"
"I knew you would say that."
"They call themselves the Anti-Hero Alliance. We should have fought from the beginning."
"Fight them how?"
"We know the hideout. We'll take them by surprise."
"Don't be absurd."
"Absurd? We can do it. Now is the time for us to show our strength as heroes!"
Yuya's words sound bland to Mei, but for some reason, the people around him are in high spirits. Mei was stunned when she realized that. Because she felt something that was working on her mind as well.
"Yuya. What are you doing?"
"Huh? Nothing"
"Did you learn a mental attack skill?"
Judging from the situation, she can only assume that Yuya did something.
"What's that? I don't have that kind of insidious skill."
"Then what?"
"I've learned [Amplify Boost] and [Morale Raise] since I became a hero."
"Ah, that."
Speaking of [Morale Raise], it's a hero-like skill, but in other words, it's [Incitement]. Mei thought that it was really a troublesome skill for Yuya to possess.
"What?"
"Nothing"
"Okay! Let's start preparing right away."
"Are you serious?"
"Of course."
"Are you saying you're going to attack the enemy's base with this number?"
There are ten Hero Candidates in Class A. With this number, Mei couldn't think of attacking an enemy hideout where she didn't know how many people there were.
"...Is it too few?"
"Why, of course?"
"Then we should ask for help from someone we can trust."
"For example?"
"Master"
“Yuya’s master got fired, right?”
"The teacher I respect is Master Simon."
"You're quick to change."
Simon is the deputy commander of the church order.
"Well then, each of us. Please consult with our master. The sooner we decide to go, the better. Let's do it tomorrow."
"It's too early!"
“But Shizuru can’t go back to the monastery anymore. If they find out she's gone, they will look for her."
Yuya was not completely unaware of what was going on. There were good reasons for rushing into the decision.
"You should go back. Go back and guide us from the inside."
"That's true."
"Wait, Yuya! Is it okay for me to be killed!?"
Shizuru wouldn't accept such an act that puts her in danger. She complained with a frustrated look.
“…Is that so? It's still no good. Well then, Shizuru will stay at Mei's place."
"Yes"
"Okay, be back soon and get ready. Let's go, everyone!"
"""Ooohh!"""
The hero candidates left the library one after another, with Yuya in the lead. The only ones who remained were Mei, Shizuru, and Jin.
"How can he be so stupid when he's supposed to be good at studying?"
"Yes"
Mei and Jin are amazed at Yuya's stupidity.
"Eh? Is there something wrong?"
Shizuru was slightly surprised at the conversation between the two.
"There was another idiot."
"That's terrible."
"The church will find out in no time. What will happen if they do?"
"What will happen?"
"Well, tomorrow or the next day there will be a battle in the monastery."
"...What's wrong with that?"
They are going to fight. Shizuru did not know what the problem was.
"It's a battle without knowing who's friend or foe. You want to fight a battle where you might get hit in the back?"
"......I guess so."
Both the Knight Order and the Mage Order have an Anti-Hero Alliance member. It is not clear who they are. If you fight in that situation. You never know when or who will betray you.
"That's why you should leave it to the guild. It is not clear who is friend or foe.
"Then let's go to the guild right away."
"Too late. The Church will definitely move first. It would be a scandal for the Church if the monastery was the hideout of the Anti-Hero Alliance. If I were them, I would destroy it before anyone else gets wind of it."
"Destroy?"
"To shut their mouth up. Killing everyone."
"……No way?"
Shizuru is perplexed by the fact that things are getting bigger and bigger as a result of the information she brought in.
"If it were me, it would be easy to think about it in my head. I'd be too scared to actually do it."
"That's right."
“But a scandal, huh… I have no choice but to use this.”
A smile appeared on Mei's slightly sullen face.
"Mei? What are you thinking?"
The word "using scandal" made Shizuru feel uneasy.
“Even though we are called hero candidates, aren’t we treated poorly?”
"Is that so?"
“There is only one time to sell. It's rude to take someone's word for it."
"That's true."
“I want to change the conditions. I'll see what I can come up with."
Mei has a high opinion of her own worth. This makes Mei have a high sense of pride and creates dissatisfaction with the way she is treated.
"I envy you for being so quick-witted."
Putting his feelings aside, Jin is envious of the thought of negotiating with them.
"If that's how you feel, then do something about it yourself."
"I can't find a way"
"You just need to put more emphasis on training magic."
Train your mental resistance. He knows it will allow him to withstand some interference.
“…But Shizuru is”
"...That's right"
Shizuru's specialty is light attribute magic. It is not surprising that her mental resistance has been trained, but it doesn't look that way to the two of them.
"Hey, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
"I guess" "I bet"
Shizuru couldn't even think of anything. There was no way Shizuru would have mental resistance in such a state.
"Excuse me?"
"Well, I'm going back. I'll be busy if I get involved."
"I guess so. Let's do that."
The story told by the hero candidate threw the church into further turmoil. The same report came from several people, and before they could even bother to investigate the truth, it was treated as fact.
The result was just as Mei had predicted. In the blink of an eye, a strike force was formed. The order was to exterminate all those in the monastery.
A gruesome battle was about to begin.
E as crianças?
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