CHAPTER 82
After the Saintess’s departure, I spent my time training in Holy Magic, Divine Power, and the Paladin combat arts. Aranseol and Babiyen asked about the Saintess, but I just told them she was a pretty person. I simply didn't know how else to describe her.

For the first time in a while, a period of peace settled in. I threw myself into training and managed to grow to a reasonably decent level. Finally, I achieved another breakthrough in Holy Magic.

The 2nd Stage Fundamental Technique.

At last, my Seed could be called a sprout. It was still a long way from becoming a Tree, but it was a sprout nonetheless. I keenly felt that the quality of my holy mana had grown significantly compared to before. An increase in recovery power meant I could handle the Paladin combat arts much more effectively.

“You’re growing stronger by the day!”

“It is all thanks to your guidance, Lady Aigis.”

The meeting of an excellent teacher and an excellent student. Could there be a more valuable encounter?

“Your growth rate is astonishing, Sir Harua. Your reserves of holy mana are also increasing exponentially as time goes on. Do you have some special secret?”

“Haha, it’s just the result of eating three square meals a day, sleeping well, and working hard.”

In addition, I had become certain of one thing: the excessive use of my resurrection magic was actually expanding my total reserves of holy mana. Resurrection magic consumed a massive amount of holy mana. And because I lacked a heart, I could wring out every last drop of my holy mana to its absolute limit without any burden. It was only natural that my reserves would be forcibly expanded.

'Abusing my body makes it grow stronger.'

What kind of messed-up constitution was this? The thought occurred to me that it might be a good idea to completely exhaust my resurrection magic every single day.

“I think it’s about time we went to the 2nd World.”

Just as I was focusing on my training while keeping an ear out for news, Babiyen, who had recently finished her training at the Mage Tower and joined us for a meal, spoke up. I looked at her intently and asked.

“Babiyen, you’re running out of money, aren’t you?”

Babiyen froze. Even with Ririran's introduction, she still had to pay tuition at the Mage Tower and was living in a luxurious hotel. There was no way she had any money left.

“I told you to move to a cheaper room.”

“...This young lady cannot sleep without a plush bed!”

“You slept just fine when you were Little Lady Babiyen.”

Babiyen started flailing her arms at me in a fit of anger. But I was now trained in the Paladin martial arts. I wasn't about to get hit by a mage's fist anymore. As I easily dodged all her attacks, Babiyen’s face grew even more furious.

“Both of you, stop it. We’re at the dinner table.”

When Aranseol chided us, we decided to call a truce.

“Besides, isn’t it unfair? Harua is getting lessons from the Holy Church for free.”

And from the Divine Lord herself, no less. However.

“Do you really think it’s free?”

Was it truly free? Considering my recent meeting with the Saintess, it was clear the Holy Church had intentions for me. An intention to bring me into their fold, no matter what. From their perspective, I was an investment. And investments should be made boldly, without thinking about potential losses. In fact, it had already been effective. Even I, who was skeptical of religion, now viewed the Holy Church in a positive light. That must have been what they were aiming for.

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch, Babiyen. Just like the price of the room you’re staying in.”

“Hnnngh.”

Babiyen clutched her head and sighed.

The 2nd World, huh? We certainly needed money. I wanted to buy more types of elixirs, and it’s always good to have cash on hand for emergencies. I’d heard that the situation in the 2nd World had improved quite a bit recently. With the murderer gone, the avenger was gone too, and security was good thanks to regular patrols by the Regular Army. On top of that, the barbarian Kardun from the west, who used to constantly raid the territory, no longer did so. The 2nd World was cleaner than it had ever been.

“It wasn’t so bad last time, was it?”

Things only got complicated because we got tangled up with the Kardun. It was true that there were no other major incidents.

“Alright. I’ll ask Horizon today, and we’ll go tomorrow.”

“Great! I should get ready right away.”

She was so sure Horizon would go. I found her reaction absurd, but she was probably right. Horizon would likely agree.

“Oh, um… I have something else to do this time.”

And so, Horizon was unable to join. She wore a very troubled expression. It was clear she wanted to come along but couldn't, and her face showed her frustration.

“M-Maybe in a week, I’ll be able to go!”

At that, Babiyen’s face darkened. It seemed that in exactly one week, she would be completely out of money. It looked like the time had finally come for Babiyen to shed her noble habits.

“No, it’s fine. We can just find another scout this time.”

“Yeah, Horizon has always done a great job for us.”

As Aranseol and I both told her it was okay, Horizon forced a smile.

I wondered what she had to do. Horizon was the type to often wander around on her own. She wasn't a child like Babiyen, who couldn't eat alone and always sought us out. Lately, I've been thinking, isn't Horizon the most mature one among us? She's fine on her own, saves her money diligently, and doesn't do anything reckless. Her appearance might be one thing, but in terms of mindset, Horizon seems to be the biggest adult of us all. She was probably off doing something mature this time, too.

After seeing Horizon off, we headed straight for the Pioneer's Guild. For the sake of Babiyen’s wallet, we had to go to the 2nd World tomorrow. I planned to find a decent scout.

As I opened the door to the Pioneer's Guild, the usual noisy and bustling scene greeted me. And among the crowd, I saw a familiar face.

“Oh.”

I let out a short sound and walked over. “Arshel.”

“Hmm?”

At the sound of a man’s voice, Arshel turned around with a slightly coquettish air. But as soon as she saw me, her face froze, and the flirtatiousness vanished. It was the face of someone who realized there was no point in trying to flirt.

“Haaah, just when I thought I’d hooked one.”

The Little Viper, Arshel. She was still working as a scout even after the incident with the murderer. Well, scouting was always a dangerous job, and there was probably no better-paying work for her now. It was only natural.

“Sorry to disappoint.”

“You wouldn’t be hooked. Your team has her in it.”

Just then, Aranseol followed me over. Arshel’s eyes narrowed as soon as she saw her. It was the face of someone who was not pleased to see another woman in the Pioneer's Guild prettier than herself.

“So, how’s the fishing for men these days?”

“Not good. There are no decent rookies.”

“Then you should join a decent mid-level team.”

“You haven’t heard the rumors about me, have you?” Arshel flaunted her looks slightly and smiled. “If I join a mid-level team, that team will fall apart. For better or for worse.”

That’s because you hit on all the men. She doesn’t know the meaning of moderation, and that’s why things go wrong. This woman probably just enjoys having men flock to her. Well, have fun while you’re young.

“Anyway, you work as a scout, right?”

“I do, but…”

“We have an open scout position. Interested in joining our team just for this trip to the 2nd World?”

Arshel raised an eyebrow. She then glanced at Aranseol and Babiyen behind me. “Let me be clear, I’m not into foursomes.”

“I’m getting a very clear message that I need to shut your mouth.”

“Just kidding. But there is one thing I want to ask.” Arshel crossed her arms and looked up at me pointedly. “Are you confident you won’t fall for me?”

“Do you have a death wish?”

This woman had a talent for getting on people’s nerves.

“But it’s true, isn’t it? You never know what might happen if I get envied in a party full of women.”

“If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that I’ll never get hot and bothered over one of you this-worlders.”

“That’s a very discriminatory thing to say.”

“Don’t worry. It’s no different from the nonsense you’re spouting right now.”

Her confidence in thinking every man would fall for her was truly something else.

“Harua.”

Just then, Aranseol came up beside me. She suddenly rested her head on my shoulder and stared up at me. Her eyes are so big. Like jewels. As I kept looking down at her, wondering what this was all about, she turned to look at Arshel.

“See?”

“...Right. I see no problem here.”

Arshel was convinced. Was that some kind of test?

“Harua is the kind of man who doesn’t even flinch when I look at him.”

For some reason, Aranseol puffed out her chest like a proud little bird. I had no idea why she was bragging about me not looking away from her.

“He’s just impotent when it comes to people from this world.”

I heard Little Lady Babiyen’s nonsense from behind me, but I ignored it.

I am not a eunuch.
I am strictly a person who likes women.
But then, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
Don't I feel surprisingly indifferent even when looking at Transferee women?
It is certain that I like women, but I feel like something is a bit broken.
From where exactly did my sexual concept start to break down?
Then I remembered the fact that I hadn't paid attention to my lower body recently.
Huh, come to think of it, the heart moves blood, so doesn't it affect erections, too?
As far as I know, the penis expands when blood gathers in the corpus cavernosum.
'Ah, shit.'
As my thoughts reached that point, a curse slipped out.
Am I really a eunuch?
I never thought that what I considered just a mental indifference could actually be a physical problem.
Suddenly, my mood turned gloomy.
I felt the need to bully Babiyen, the one who made me realize this.
"Babiyen, you need to be scolded a bit."
"Hmph, it’s not this maiden's fault that you’re a eunuch."
This flower-head.
That might be a joke to fake eunuchs, but for me, it sounds like a factual diagnosis.
Suddenly, a bitter feeling washed over me.
But apart from that, I also felt a sense of 'so what?'
The current me had no particular will to do anything sexually anyway.
Perhaps it’s because I don't feel any stability in my own life.
Or maybe too much death has damaged the value of reproduction for me.
'If I need it, I'll find a solution later.'
Let’s leave it to the future me.
Just then, my eyes met Aranseol’s.
She tilted her head, the corners of her mouth lifting.
Aranseol now smiled at me just by making eye contact.
The contempt and disregard from the past were nowhere to be found.
"Got it. I don't have a team right now anyway, so I'll join."
And then, a message of participation came from Arshel.
She was a mid-tier adventurer, after all.
She was a force with no downsides as a Scout.
It was the formation of a temporary team without Horizon.