ALL NOVEL Chapter 380
“It’s over.”
“Things just got unnecessarily tight. Feels like I’ve scratched a rash.”
“Really? It’s actually a good thing. That fickle one can pop up anywhere at any time. Making an appointment is a better option for us.”
True, he didn’t seem like the type to plan and act thoroughly.
I got the impression that he moved around erratically like a kid. Perhaps locking him into an appointment could be the best way to prepare while we wait.
But a month… is still… not that long.
Considering he’s been steadily killing gods so far, it’s probably feasible to prepare.
If possible, I should revisit the Quartz family and get some help.
“A busy month ahead.”
“I’ll be thankful if it just ends up being busy.”
Hecate said this in a way that suggested it was going to be a hassle, stretching her back in that typical cat manner by lowering her front and raising her rear.
…No matter how you look at it, that’s a cat.
“The young one needs to widen the playing field as much as possible, whether it’s with demons or gods. The ‘best stage’ is better when it’s larger.”
“Truly insane.”
Are they hinting at some kind of final showdown here?
That’s not really my taste. I prefer the subtle, swift approach. It’s easier and less noisy, right? I can’t put complete trust in demons or Kalon, and I’m worried about getting stabbed in the back.
In response to my negative reaction, Hecate replied calmly.
“The young one must bring trustworthy forces as much as possible.”
Trustworthy forces, huh… Who could there be… The first to come to mind was Quartz and the elves. But as for Quartz, that’s one thing, but will the elves really be of help…?
…Well, I guess it’s better than nothing.
“To widen the scope means I’ll need to be running around like crazy.”
“Looks like there’s a lot to teach Elisa over the next month.”
“Do we really need to involve Elisa?”
“Well, we’re in a situation where we might even need cat paws.”
But the thought of Elisa going to war doesn’t sit well with me. No matter how I slice it, it’s bound to be a dangerous fight. I don’t want to be the only one suffering.
“I’m against it.”
“Sadly, this isn’t just your problem. Everyone on the continent will be involved in the fight one way or another.”
“…That’s true.”
Looking at the observer’s condition earlier, if things go awry, they might just obliterate everything. Still… I don’t want my loved ones to be on that risky battlefield.
“…I’ll head back for now.”
“Got it. I’ll talk to the witch youngsters too.”
“What?”
“As I mentioned, this isn’t just your issue.”
So the witches… are offering their support too?
“…Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. The young one should quickly go back and secure support from Quartz.”
“Understood.”
Am I going to visit my grandmother after such a long time? I turned around with a smirk.
—————-
“A great war will erupt in a month.”
“What?”
“Huh?”
“Eh?”
Confused voices erupted from everyone’s mouths.
Well, I’d be surprised too if I suddenly heard there was going to be a war. But I couldn’t keep this to myself, so it was best to say it quickly for my sake and for my lovers.
“Johann… Can you explain in detail?”
“Got it.”
I nodded at Karina’s words and proceeded to summarize the current situation. As I neared the end of my tale, the expressions of my lovers and the Lewis couple grew somber.
“The scale is too big…”
“I don’t even understand…”
“Even listening to the uncle’s explanation feels like my brain is rejecting it…”
Is this all due to the involvement of ‘outsiders’?
It’s dizzying.
I sighed and leaned back against the soft sofa. After that, my lovers would make the decisions on their own. With that thought, I pressed my eyelids down, and Karina’s voice reached me.
“Johann, I don’t think you’re lying. But… I just don’t know what we should do. A great war in just a month…”
“Don’t worry too much. Most humans will just be fleeing.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“…I honestly don’t know.”
Nothing immediate came to mind. Healing the injured if any humans get hurt? But that doesn’t seem to be sufficient for Karina.
“It’s embarrassing to say, but I’m a ‘Saint.’ I can’t just hide behind the scenes.”
“…It might be hard to give a definite answer right now. I’ll tell you after visiting the Quartz family.”
“Does this mean… you’ll be lying down again for another month?”
“…No. This time I plan to come back as quickly as possible.”
Given the time limit of a month, I have to resolve everything within an hour or two at their time, at least. Knowing the severity of the situation, they’ll likely speed things up on that side too.
“This time, the Saint should accompany you.”
“What?”
When did you show up again?
I turned to look at Hecate, who made her bombshell statement while lounging by the window. Whether I was looking or not, Hecate approached Karina and jumped onto her shoulder.
“Hey, Hecate?”
“Big young one. Hold my hand.”
“Understood.”
Looks like she’s planning something again. I quietly took Karina’s hand and looked at her.
Karina, initially confused, met my gaze calmly when I held her hand.
Sitting on Karina’s shoulder, Hecate pressed her paw against her cheek and said, “There’s something we must do for the Saint.”
…Looks like we’re about to hold some odd meet-the-parents ceremony here.
“I… I’ll do my best.”
“…Is this actually a meet-the-parents sort of deal?”
“…I suppose it is?”
Karina smiled with a strangely joyous look. The other lovers glanced at me, seeming somewhat disappointed.
…Even looking at me like that, this is not just a light issue. Wait, a meet-the-parents encounter is definitely not something trivial. Regardless, it’s relatively lighter, so let’s just roll with it.
I was thrown into a sudden meet-the-parents situation, completely overwhelmed. I never expected things would unfold like this.
“Let’s prepare right away, young one.”
“Wait, I don’t have an invitation. I’m not sure how I can get in like when I first visited.”
“Leave that to me. The young ones just need to lie down in bed together.”
“S-Same bed?”
Karina’s face flushed red at Hecate’s words.
What on earth is she imagining?
“…Well, since I understand now, let’s head to the bedroom.”
“My room is bigger, so let’s go there.”
“I’ll wash up a bit before we go.”
“Got it. I will too…”
Karina nodded while slightly blushing.
With that reaction, she resembles a bride preparing for her wedding night.
“…I’m jealous.”
As Millia’s envious voice trailed behind, we headed toward Karina’s bedroom.
—————-
“I’m back from washing up.”
“Me too.”
Karina was busily drying her wet hair with the help of maids. Given that her hair is long, it seemed to take a considerable amount of time to dry.
When I attempted to use the flames of the Phoenix to dry her hair, the maids quickly replied that doing so would be bad for her hair, so I had no choice but to idly lean against the wall and wait.
After an hour of drying her hair, once the maids left, Karina sat on the bed and gazed at me intently.
“Johann…”
“Don’t be too embarrassed. Once this is all over, this will be our routine.”
“Isn’t my heart going to burst first?”
“It wasn’t really attached in the first place.”
“W-Well, sleeping in the same bed is a whole different story…”
Karina’s rarely shy voice landed a kick in my heart.
Isn’t this kind of a plea for me to just make a move?
Whew, calm down for now.
“Hey, young ones, stop that and lie down already.”
Oh, come on.
Hecate’s incredulous voice shattered the atmosphere in an instant.
I mean, I could say to read the room, but the circumstances are kind of tricky.
I sighed and lay down on the bed. I felt the mattress depress beside me. Turning my head, I found Karina looking at me with a shy smile.
I quietly took her hand and glanced at Hecate.
She seated herself between us, licked her paw, and stamped our foreheads as she announced, “Now sleep.”
Oh no, this feels so awkward.
“Should I even sing you a lullaby?”
“…No need.”
I quietly closed my eyes.
Honestly, this doesn’t seem like a situation where I could fall asleep, but I must try…
…
————————–
“Hey, you’ve brought two guests this time!”