Did Yuri and Liliana use this stream's flowing water to take their baths?
Triggered by this speculation, Godou instantly recalled the sight of these maidens' tender skin he had witnessed before. However, he mustered resolute willpower to bury these memories in darkness. Instead, he said:
"Because of me, you girls had to come to this kind of place—"
"Godou-san, there is no need to say such words."
"Really?"
"Yes, indeed."
A conversation with Yuri leaning by his side. A brief exchange of words.
Even so, there was an unbelievable sense of connected minds and hearts. Yuri was probably feeling the same. After their gazes met up, she displayed a gentle smile.
"Oh, by the way, this was brought up yesterday as well. Godou-san, you said you felt uncomfortable about sleeping in the same place as us. I believe it is time that you gave up on such an obstinate view."
"R-Really?"
"Yes, it really is quite overdue in hindsight. Especially since you and I, Godou-san... We have previously lived together for a number of days already."
Yuri was apparently recalling their earlier trip to Malaysia.
This time, silence descended between them, yet it did not feel awkward. Rather, they felt even more connected than before. After a brief while, Yuri slowly spoke up:
"After that, it was quite a predicament. The others questioned so intensely..."
"But clearly we didn't do anything weird..."
"O-Of course, in order to prepare for combat against the goddess, the two of us undertook the ritual, but it was undoubtedly necessary... Also, it is an act we are already accustomed to..."
"Y-Yeah."
"Ultimately, it was simply because you and I were alone together, Godou-san, do you agree...?"
"Probably... The way they pursued the matter so far, it made me feel like we simply should have done something for real, might as well, right?"
Godou was suddenly shocked by the muttering grumbles that slipped out of his mouth. Carried away by the sweet mood, he had apparently said something unnecessary. If Liliana were present as well, he could not possibly have been so careless.
Furthermore, Yuri was bowing her head shyly. At the same time, she tugged lightly at Godou's sleeve, whispering softly:
"C-Currently, we are alone together as well—It just so happens that we are alone together."
"Yeah."
"A-Also, there is nothing especially urgent..."
"If we get suspected afterwards..."
Since they were leaning tightly together to begin with, all it took Godou was a slight turn of his shoulder to effortlessly embrace Yuri in his arms.
Spontaneously, Godou found himself gazing into Yuri's shy face. As though responding to him, Yuri looked up in turn, slowly bringing her lips near.
Then as long as Godou drew his lips near as well—Just at this very moment...
"Kusanagi Godou! Mariya Yuri! Liliana Kranjcar has returned! Where have the two of you gone!?"
Hearing Liliana's stern voice, Godou and Yuri could not help but exchange a glance.
"This does happen sometimes."
"We'd better return quickly to Liliana's side."
While feeling the relief from being liberated from a sense of guilt, they smiled wryly.
Then the two of them went back to the cabin.
Not long after Liliana had returned during late afternoon...
The sun was currently setting. The western sky was dyed red and dusk had arrived. Under the setting sun, Godou was facing the knight who had returned from scouting.
This mountain cabin was north by northeast of Colonia Agrippina.
The Rhine lay twenty-something kilometers to the west. In other words, they were inside the territory of Germania. Over here, there were no roads like those paved on the Rhine's shores. Unlike modern times, neither trains nor cars existed.
Making a round trip within half a day was only possible through Liliana's powers.
"I first used the [Witch's Eye] to fly my vision over to the area of Colonia Agrippina. After scouting the situation nearby, I flew over there personally and learned of many news."
Liliana was reporting outside the cabin.
While listening to her, Godou was still recuperating, sitting on a tree stump. In addition, Yuri was inside the cabin, preparing dinner.
Using ancient hearths to cook should be quite inconvenient, but Yuri did not find the task especially grueling.
Godou heard that during her Hime-Miko training, she had to live self-sufficiently in a hut in the mountains with neither natural gas nor running water, spending her days isolated from worldly life. She had apparently mastered how to use hearths and other such things during that time.
"As expected, being able to fly is so convenient."
Having been taken "flying" before by Liliana, Godou muttered wholeheartedly. Although he was already used to lacking the convenience of cars and phones, having such inventions of civilization at hand would be best after all.
"Then how's the situation over there?"
"Slightly complicated. I shall save the details for later when we are having dinner with Mariya Yuri together. However, there should be quite a fair amount of time before dinner is ready. During this time, let us perform a diagnosis."
"Diagnosis?"
"Yes. Please allow me to have a look at the wound where the Divine Sword of Salvation had struck."
Liliana pointed at the chest of the puzzled Godou.
"Campione bodies are tough and resilient beyond imagination. However, this is the first time I am seeing your wound recovery rate so unbelievably slow. Just in case, it needs to be checked. Could you take off your clothing?"
"Eh?"
"This is only logical in order to examine the wound, right?"
Agreeing that she made sense, Godou nodded and took off his shirt.
A naked upper torso, almost completely devoid of fat, the kind of physique that was very muscular despite looking slender on first glance. This was probably thanks to overusing his body constantly on a regular basis. Clearly, the day of getting diagnosed with metabolic syndrome in a health checkup was far away.
The body's exterior could be considered unharmed. The lightning had probably injured somewhere deep in the body.
Since Godou happened to be sitting on a tree stump, he felt like he was at a hospital.
Acting as the doctor, Liliana began to blush for some reason, shifting her gaze away from Godou's body—
"What's the matter? You're not gonna diagnose my wound?"
"Oh no. I am very sorry. Looking at it again from such a close distance, I suddenly feel very embarrassed... Also, all sorts of nonsensical ideas are occurring to me..."
"But clearly you were there when we were swimming at a beach last time. What a weird girl you are."
Godou laughed lightly. Given the serious personality she had clearly exhibited all along was clearly fine, it was quite suspicious for Liliana to suddenly act strangely. There were times when this literary girl, highly adept at writing poetry and novels, acted in ways that exceeded the comprehension of an athletically inclined boy like Godou.
Meanwhile, still unable to look Godou in the face, Liliana cautiously extended her hand, moving her pale fingers over his chest.
Then the witch, who was serving as a substitute doctor in the ancient world, narrowed her eyes.
"I knew it... The wound has showed no signs of recovery at all since yesterday."
"Eh!?"
"Judging from this situation, one cannot expect it to heal naturally at ridiculous speeds like before. You will need to recuperate like this for one or two months' time. Either that or undergo magical treatment..."
"But there's no time to rest slowly right now."
"In that case, treatment is necessary. Understood. I will immediately change the method of treatment."
"...Eh?"
"You are the one who said there is no time, Kusanagi Godou."
"Th-That's true but.."
As Liliana pressed near, having recovered a serious expression, Godou began to panic.
Undergoing magical treatment. Apart from the usual manner, there was no other choice. Oh well, since this happened every time, backing down now by this juncture might be rather ludicrous.
However, Godou still faltered.
Recalling the conversation with Yuri during the day, he felt like needles were pricking his heart.
"I-I don't think treatment needs to start straight away today. Waiting until tomorrow should also be..."
"Something that can be finished today should not be saved for tomorrow. I believe that you need to be treated as soon as possible."
After objecting rationally, Liliana lowered her gaze with a lack of confidence.
"O-Or rather... You would like someone other than me to treat you? I-If that is the case, it cannot be helped. As your knight, I must respect the lord's wishes—"
"What rubbish are you talking about? It's fine for you to do it, Liliana."
Halfway through, Godou interrupted the silver-haired knight's depressed suggestion.
Godou felt that he could never face Liliana again if he had allowed her to finish. That was what her words made him think. Furthermore, he immediately realized his own stupidity.
By the time he noticed, Liliana was already gazing straight at him.
Instead of the stern and knightly gaze she usually displayed, these eyes looked as they belonged to accomplices who knew each other's lies.
"Since... that is your true wish, then as your knight, I..."
"Y-Yeah."
"We are king and knight respectively. For the sake of battle that will inevitably arrive one day, we must do everything to prepare."
"That's probably true, I guess..."
"Seeing as it is for this purpose, I believe that I must properly do what is within my ability..."
Up until just now, Liliana was speaking while she stood.
However, she had suddenly sat down now, sitting on Godou's lap.
Clearly not a position that matched the relationship between king and knight, this would be more aptly compared to the boldness of intimacy between lovers on a park bench. However, the two of them gazed into each other's eyes like that.
As the silver-haired knight slowly closed her eyes, all hesitation vanished from Godou's heart completely.
"Liliana...!"
"Yes...!"
While she sat on his lap, Godou embraced her, kissing her lips passionately.
Liliana opened her mouth in response, then Godou instantly inserted his tongue inside. Thoroughly savoring the taste of her lips, his tongue entangled with her tongue. Godou slowly began to lose control of himself.
Moving his kiss from her lips to her neck, he sucked forcefully before licking her neck, his tongue wandering over its surface.
"M-Mmm, mmmmmmm!"
Liliana suddenly shrank back. In fact, it was only recently when Godou discovered that she was very vulnerable to stimulation at this spot. The loyal female knight endured tearfully while pleading to Godou:
"S-Save this for later... Let me apply the spell first..."
Right. Godou was reminded again of why they were doing this.
He kissed Liliana's lips again. Next, the fairy-like girl of Eastern European descent displayed eyes of ecstasy while whispering as though in puzzlement. However, she did not move her lips away.
"N-No good. The healing spell is not working..."
"I see... The Divine Sword of Salvation is the weapon for exterminating Devil Kings. Is it because I am poisoned inside by that thing, the poison can't be cleansed so easily...?"
After sharing a few light kisses with Liliana repeatedly, Godou nodded.
Upon further thought, it was quite likely indeed. On the other hand, the silver-haired girl, both witch and knight, panted heavily while speaking stalwartly:
"N-No matter what, I will find a way. Because it is for you..."
"Counting on you."
Answering briefly, Godou once again sucked Liliana's lips forcefully. In return, Liliana responded by inserting her tongue into Godou's mouth.
Just as their behavior was gradually escalating, a noise was heard. The cabin's wooden door opened suddenly.
"Everyone, dinner is already prepared. Where have you gone?"
Opening the cabin's door, Yuri called to them.
Luckily, Godou and Liliana's position was at a dead angle out of view from the door's location. Still remaining in the same posture held in Godou's embrace, Liliana stopped kissing then yelled back in a resolute voice.
"Coming! Just wait a minute!"
"Very well, I shall wait for you both."
Clack. The sound of the door being shut. Yuri had gone back inside the cabin.
Phew. Sitting on Godou's lap, Liliana breathed a sigh of relief.
Although it looked like she had carried out the deception calmly, she was actually petrified inside completely. Then after looking up suddenly, she kissed Godou again.
Smooch—Sucking forcefully at Godou's lips, she entangled their tongues together, reluctant to end things.
"It is almost time for us to head back. Otherwise, Mariya Yuri might find it suspicious..."
Finally separating their lips, Liliana added a light kiss at the very end.
After doing all this, only then did Liliana urge their return while smiling mischievously.
Part 3
Dinner that night consisted of cheese, hard bread and soup made from beans, vegetables and mushrooms.
Bought by Liliana from a nearby village, venison served to add some variety to the simple menu.
Everyone gathered around a wooden table to eat this meal.
Despite feeling grateful to Yuri for making all this food, Godou had a great weight on his heart due to the behavior he had engaged with Liliana just now. But clearly he was just one step shy of doing similar things with Yuri during the daytime—
"In the end, you had to prepare dinner on your own unaided. Many apologies."
"Do not worry about that. Liliana-san, you are the one who must be tired, flying to so many places on your own. Please have a good rest tonight."
Unaware of Godou's guilty conscience, Yuri and Liliana chatted amiably.
They both shared the trait of being domestically inclined girls to begin with. Presumably getting used to each other's pace, they often spent time together from day to day. Tonight, the atmosphere was also harmonious as usual.
Nevertheless, their amicable relationship was causing Godou some minor stress.
Although I've come to realize somewhat already, am I really such a bastard...? These thoughts of self-reprimand gradually began to surface.
"Then here are the results of my reconnaissance."
Hearing Liliana start to report, Godou frantically sat up straight.
"I was unable to find out the whereabouts of the goddess and the 'King of the End.' However, I did witness a small conflict occurring near Colonia Agrippina."
"A small conflict?"
"Yes. One side appeared to be Frankish warriors while the other consisted of giant bears controlled by some kind of magic. The giant bear army seemed to have crossed over from the Rhine's east bank—Germania."
"Artio is still alive huh..."
"Also, due to Sir Salvatore having gone missing, Colonia Agrippina's interior has become quite chaotic. After all, they have currently lost their leader."
"That idiot!?"
"Also, there is the place you asked me to visit. Kusanagi Godou, I have checked out your residence too, but Erica and Seishuuin Ena were not present. The house only contained servants."
"Even those two as well..."
Godou sighed but immediately continued:
"Just as I thought, I'd better get back as soon as possible. All of us, let's travel over there tomorrow."
This was his decision as the leader. Yuri and Liliana nodded in agreement.
Then dinner finished and
after clearing things up, the trio went to bed early.
The simple cabin did not provide any separation of space. The three of them had moved the table aside and laid out three blankets on the floor. Then with the trio lying down side by side, a simple bed was made.
Then after saying she was washing her face before sleeping, Liliana went outside.
"Excuse me, Godou-san... May I have a moment of your time?"
Yuri came over to the center of the bedding where Godou was sitting cross-legged.
"What's up, Mariya?"
"Yes, I have been feeling this all day. The poison arrow wound inflicted by the Divine Sword of Salvation seems to be healing very slowly."
Godou jumped in surprise. Could it be that—
"Another journey, most likely dangerous, will be commencing tomorrow. Hence, your injuries need to be cured as soon as possible. Let us, together..."
"I-Indeed, you're right."
"Yes. I had a feeling that Godou would agree."
Sitting on the bedding with Godou, Yuri was in formal seiza posture as though it were perfectly natural.
Furthermore, the pure Yamato Nadeshiko was bowing her head from shyness. Closing her eyes quietly, she whispered softly with her cherry lips.
"I-If we do not hurry, Liliana-san will be back soon."
Choosing to wait for Godou to make the first move, this behavior was very much in Yuri's conservative style.
Impelled by this cuteness of hers, Godou went "Mariya...!" and drew his face near, passionately taking her soft lips.
"Ah... Godou-san—Let the treatment now..."
The Hime-Miko accepted Godou's slightly violent kiss while whispering quietly.
Godou could feel her exhaled breath, saliva and magical power passing through her lips, transmitted over to him. Probably because it was the second time today, he was able to pinpoint the spell's movements much more accurately than earlier.
Through Godou's throat, Yuri's spell definitely reached every location inside his body.
But there was no change at all. Rather, strictly speaking, the instant he received the healing spell, Godou felt his internal temperature rise slightly, but that was all.
It felt like pouring a cup of water onto a dry desert, only producing an instant of relief.
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