"…"
Fern had never known there were so many ways for men and women to do that sort of…standing-and-rubbing.
And of all places, it was happening in a hot spring.
Even though it was just a hot spring, in her eyes it felt like a treacherous ocean with wild, crashing waves.
However, from start to finish, Fern didn't show any intense response; she merely soaked quietly in the hot water, watching in silence.
Stella: "…the live stream is…well, it's still going, I guess."
Misaka Mikoto: "Hey! You weren't like this before! Where's the old leader of our Anti-R18 Alliance?"
Hiiragi Shinoa: "Wake up; the Anti-R18 Alliance has only you left."
Misaka Mikoto: "…"
Misaka Mikoto: "So they're just streaming all of this, and none of you will stop them?"
Erica: "Shush, don't interrupt my admiration of the King's physique!"
Aihara Enju: "Eek… E-even though it's embarrassing, Tina and the others all like watching, and we're friends, so…I can't stop them!"
"Hmm?"
"Enju?"
Right after Enju said that, a crowd of equally red-faced girls all turned to glare at her. In truth, Enju was also eager to watch, yet she blamed it on them…
"U-uh…"
Remembering that they, too, were following the group chat, Enju broke into a cold sweat. She was doomed.
"Impressive," muttered a few girls amid the playful chaos.
Not far away, Muroto Sumire let out a sigh of awe.
It was her first time seeing Rei Ao so unrestrained and primal in his desires. Usually, she viewed him as a "god" with hands on his hips, lofty and untouchable. Only now did she feel he displayed the natural impulses of humankind.
"Cough…um, we really need to get back to building the city…"
Seitenshi rubbed her hands nervously in a tiny voice.
As a pure-hearted saint, even catching a glimpse of the live stream had her blushing madly. She referred to the city-building for cursed children.
Since they belonged to Rei Ao, they couldn't live in the empire; she, Muroto Sumire and others were involved in the children's day-to-day affairs.
The main priority was constructing the city for them—a city belonging to Rei Ao's harem, as well.
Right now, Najenda and others were assisting, so progress was smooth.
"Eeek. We can take our time with city-building, but this type of live broadcast is rare," remarked Tendo Kisara, patting Seitenshi on the shoulder with a mischievous grin.
"What's more, you'd better use this as a learning opportunity, so next time Rei Ao visits, we can step up."
She saw things clearly. Neither Enju's circle nor Seitenshi's group would escape eventually.
Pop! A folding fan snapped open, concealing the face of Miori Shiba.
"Kisara's right; learning is necessary."
"Huh? But…"
Seitenshi bowed her head, too embarrassed to speak. She saw how calmly the others were reacting while she alone was burning up.
Then again, Miori Shiba's fan was also covering her own red cheeks, and her kimono's long hem hid her trembling legs.
Watching the live feed, one thought repeated in her mind:
"He…he could really fit it there?"
…
Three hours later…
"Glub…glub…"
In the hot spring, Frieren was contentedly soaking, blowing bubbles. She seemed to be thinking about the results of her research.
Having cleaned himself up, Rei Ao went over to where Fern was quietly seated.
"You're awfully calm. Don't even seem shy like a normal girl."
He introduced himself:
"I'm Rei Ao, from another world. Currently this world's sole god."
"…"
Fern faced him head-on for the first time.
"A God?"
A flicker ran through her eyes. "God" wasn't at all consistent with her church's teachings about gods lacking human urges. This person's behavior didn't match that notion.
"Not really looking like one?," Rei Ao teased.
"Fern. That's my name," she said. Her first time speaking voluntarily.
"Fern—I see. Do you know your current situation?"
"…I survived the war."
Fern lowered her head. Her shoulders trembled. Plainly, she grasped what she'd gone through. Her distant demeanor was partly her own personality, partly shock from witnessing her entire village destroyed.
Everyone she knew was killed; only she remained alive. Biting her lip, she stayed lost in thought as warm steam and water dripped from her bangs.
"Why…"
She muttered faintly, her voice scarcely audible.
"You must be wondering why you alone survived," Rei Ao said quietly. Leaning back, he rested the back of his head on something soft: the chest of Aura, who had positioned herself behind him.
"…"
Fern's lips quivered. Indeed, she couldn't get past the devastation of that war-torn village. She was too numb to respond, even to these strangers who had rescued her.
Suddenly, noticing something, she glanced downward:
"Swoosh!"
A splash of water parted as Frieren's head burst out from under the hot spring's surface.
"Uuh, so soft~"
Frieren's gaze locked on Fern. She had just swum over underwater and ended up face-planting into a huge pair of… lumps. It was shocking. Though Fern didn't look that old, her figure was something even Frieren felt envious of.
"Yes, your name's Fern, right?"
"Mm…"
"I'm Frieren. As you can see, an elven mage. I can confirm that everything Rei Ao said is true."
"Have you heard the saying that gods are omnipotent?"
"…Omnipo…tent…"
Fern echoed the word, as if tasting it. Then Frieren stated bluntly:
"Gods can raise the dead, you know?"
"!!!"
Fern jerked her head up. Staring at Rei Ao, who was resting in Aura's soft embrace, her eyes finally showed a glow of hope.
~~~
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