Chapter 108 - Wintervale City
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"Wow, it's so beautiful!"
"Everything is so white..."
Only a few minutes before we arrive, the girls voiced out their awe at the sight of the city before us. Everyone's eyes were glittering in excitement that I can't help but smile to such wholesomeness. Also, Luna, please don't lean too much or you might capsize the carriage. We'll be damned.
The Wintervale City was a place encompassing with gigantic mountains of cold. Looking at it on a high ground, it gave me a similar vibe akin to the city of Iceland in my old world. The city was large and remarkably beautiful at that. They weren't lying when they said that this place was thriving. You can see a number of buildings currently in construction no matter where you look. Perhaps the merchants found a potential in this place and began investing?
"Should I build a base in this place, I wonder...?" I mused.
"Eh, really, Master?!" Luna who heard my voice came with me in a rush, her eyes glittering. I've never seen Luna this excited. It's cute. "Let's build a house here, Master! Please! Please!"
"Hahaha! Calm down, Luna." I replied while gesturing a palm, signalising her to calm down. After a short pause, I began to open my mouth. "I'll think about it in the meantime. It looks really worth to build one here but for now, let's focus on the mission."
"Ehhh?! No way...!" Luna complained, looking disheartened. Ugh, please don't look at me like that, Luna. It's not like I don't like this place, but I have a valid reason for this.
I already have precognition on what will happen in this place. In the game, it really didn't end well what happened here in this city, I tell you, Luna.
"You do remember that this place was currently in a state of alert, right?" I explained. After all, even the Frontliners was overwhelmed from the monsters lurking here. "It would be bad if we build one here only to get destroyed if something dangerous happened to the city, no?"
In response, Luna seems to get what I said and nodded after a short pause. Good. The others who were listening seemed to also get it. It's great that they're quick to understand.
While pondering so, we finally arrived at the Wintervale City. We were welcomed by the guards guarding the entrance and proceeded inside the prospering place.
"A-Are you sure about this?!" Uncle Driver who was holding a sack with [20 Gold Coins] in his hands exclaimed so.
"Yes." I replied. "You were the only person who volunteered to take us here. If it wasn't for you and we'll probably still in the Capital hoping for someone to take us. Please take it."
Uncle Driver was looking at me in dumbfoundedly as I urge him to take the money as my gratitude. I wasn't lying when I told him that. Travelling from Capital from here was not as easy as they seem to be. After all, it's thousands of kilometers you'll need to get here. Moreover, this place was in a state of danger so many would of course, won't be willing. Only Uncle Driver was the only person who volunteered. I know that he also came here in business, so he just let us to ride with him in exchange for his protection but still.
Uncle Driver waved at us with a smile on his face as we parted ways. I'd like to immediately begin our purpose of coming here but that'll be too stingy for me. The week of travel was tedious. Awfully so. Since we're here and all, a place that's an embodiment of beauty, let's first enjoy our travel here. We're not really in a rush or anything and it will also act to increase the girls' morale for later.
"Um, Master..." While pondering so, Luna suddenly called me. When I turned to her, I noticed that she was looking nervous for some reason.
"Yeah?"
"Since were here and all, how about we go sightseeing first things first? The place was beautiful, so I was thinking if we could take a day rest and enjoy this place more."
Luna doesn't show it, but she was fidgeting, albeit faintly. I also notice the girls were giving me a side eye and is looking at me in anticipation... Ah, I think I get it. Did they think we're going in the [Artic] immediately the moment we arrived?
"Haha, you don't need to look at me like that, girls." I replied. "We're not really in a rush or anything so you girls can ask whatever you want. No need to get tense like that."
"Yay!"
"Finally..."
"I told you guys he'll just immediately accept it."
"Thank you, Aruji-sama."
"So where should we go first?"
"Ahaha..."
The girls celebrated and began planning like children. Looking at our conversation, I guess were still not as close than I expected. I had thought that were pretty close now but there was still a lingering sense of reservation when they talk or ask me. Hm, how depressing...
I followed the girls behind as we went sightseeing and going to various shop the girls fancied. Man, there were snows everywhere. No matter where I look, 70% of what I see was white.
While sightseeing, I noticed that many people, particularly males, were giving us quite the stare.
"We're kind of gathering attention, aren't we...?" Luna remarked.
"Seems like it." Lily replied.
"Ugh, how uncomfortable..." Seia remarked.
"I think we know who to blame, though." Blamed Astra as she frankly turned to me. The rest of the girls followed suit. Why me, though?!
"I'm surrounded by beautiful girls after all. Someone's just being jelly, Hahaha!"
I'm not lying, though. Those guys probably think I'm a lucky bastard being flocked with charming girls. Haha! They're the heroines of this world, you jealous bunch! Although in my perspective, if I saw a guy being flocked with women, I would probably think that they were gay.
"Man, you sometimes say such outrageous things, don't you? Don't you feel shame or something?" Said Astra, who encroach a flush on her face. Damn, Astra? Blushing? How unusual.
When I turned to the girls, the rest were also blushing (with the exception of Akari who was smiling, sporting a proud expression on her face).
"Aw, everyone's blushing—Ow?!?!"
Just when I was about to tease them, and Lily pinched me to my sides. Goddamn, that hurts!
And so, our sightseeing continued on the way forward, exploring the city to its nook and cranny. We had so much fun, until we noticed, the sun had set to the horizon.
"Amazing! It's so large!"
Luna exclaimed excitedly as we all entered a large room that sported a luxury features. That's right. I rented a room in a luxury hotel for us to stay with. It's not really an exaggeration to say this but the interior of this room looks just as big as a regular house due to how large it is inside. Although, it cost me quite a grand, though...
It was located into the highest floor of the hotel, so it's rather called a Penthouse. Anyways, the room was just as luxurious as those places I often watch in TVs housed by riches and so. The living room displayed with many sofas laid out by a glass wall into its front. Oh, there's even a balcony, and a small pool?! Cool!
The Penthouse also boast a number of bedrooms, sporting a large luxurious Alaskan king size bed that would surely make you fell asleep the moment you lay there. Ah, there's only 6-rooms... looks like someone's sleeping in the living room tonight. Ahaha...
But fret not. For I—a gentleman will be the one to take a sacrifice in you girls' stead. Well, I can just sneak into someone's room later. And if possible...If you know what I mean. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
"Yeop!" Luna who was just as energetic as ever jump into one of the sofas in the living room. Briefly then, came Lemuen who was looking uneasy sat anxiously at the other sofa.
"Ugh, everything looks so expensive..." Lemuen cringes as her eyes wander around. Can't blame her, though. They were living in a poverty ever since then according to Bellatrix. "Just how much it costs Sai to be able to rent a room like this...?"
"Hm? Well, since we'll be staying here for quite a while, I rented this place about a week. As for the cost... about [25 Gold Coins] only."
"Ehhh?!?! You call that only?!"
"Well..."
"Don't mind it too much, Lemuen." While I was lost for an answer, Luna who was beside Lemuen came and interject. "I was also the same as you are before."
"Eh? W-What about now?"
"Hehe," Luna beamed, though, her eyes flashed a sight devoid of hope. "You'll get used to it."
"That's how it is." On the kitchen came Lily who was waiting in the shower joined the conversation. "Or rather, I bet you'll be more surprised once we start our adventure."
"Yep." I agreed. "I'll make sure you'll come back with your sister full of souvenirs. Hahaha!"
"I do hope we get many, though." Seia who was going downstairs added. "Since you decided to come here, there's things you wanted to get in Artic, right? Sai."
"Bing bong! Correct! That's why set your expectations high since I will guarantee you girls, we'll be returning home more geared-up than ever."
"Hn!" To my surprise, Akari came who hugged me from behind. "I'll do my best, Aruji-sama."
I nodded in response to Akari's remark. "Alright, it's getting pretty late now. How about we had dinner?"
"Yes!" The girls all replied in unison.
Luna, Seia, and Lemuen went outside to buy and take out a meal for us to eat as our dinner. Once, everything was done, we had a long, fun conversation. As always, they never run out of topic.
Once we've finished out dinner, the girls took a swim into the pool at the balcony. I would like to see them in their swimsuits, but my mind wanted to take a rest. Disregarding my desire to see them girls, I decided to lay into the sofa and finally take my sleep goodnight. My mind must have really wanted to sleep as it didn't even take a minute before I lose consciousness. Amimir~
* * *
When I woke-up, darkness flooded my sight, albeit with faint light somewhere, so I tried to rose out of my sofa only to feel a strain to both my sight and my mind. Was my sleep interrupted? Anyhow, I was aroused for unknown reason so how about I do something until I then.
Having thought so, I decided to head to the balcony and take a breather. But as I was about to do so, my eyes fell at the sight of an orange beast girl who was leaning on a glass guard rail. Her three-tails sways at the gush of the wind.
"Hey, Seia," As I stepped out to the balcony, I called the beast girl in which the latter turned into. She looked at me sporting a surprise, perhaps wondering why I'm awake at this time of night. "Can't sleep?"
"Sai..." After a brief pause, Seia beamed at me and return to lean at the scenery. "Yes. My head was still awake for some reason."
"Oh really. Actually, I'm of the same. I was aroused for unknown reason..."
I went and stood next to Seia, resting my elbow on the rail while leaning also. Hm, the place was so beautiful at the sight here. I can see everything. Myriads of light glimmers below us, giving me comfort despite the melancholic feel. The air was pleasant as well...
While immersed in my thought, I noticed that Seia was slowly sticking into me. Shortly, with a smile as she watches the beautiful sight below, Seia began and opened her mouth.
"It's so peaceful, isn't it?" Seia remarked. "With all my entire life living in solitude whilst in complete reliance to my grandmother, I would have never expected I get to experience something like this."
"Nh, that's really great to hear. So, how do you feel right now?"
"Hm? Are you teasing me? Haha, well, were the only one here so I don't really mind." Seia paused shortly, then continued. "Every moment was so fun. Not only was I filled with such amazing sight, I was also surrounded by people who felt the same as mine. I've never felt so contented until now."
I just nodded without saying anything. Although, there's also one thing, I was smiling. Recalling those genuine sweet smiles of those girls, I was assured that coming here was the worth the decision.
"...Hey, Sai," While thinking so, suddenly, Seia tugged me to my clothes. Looking at her, she stared at me as if she was hoping for something. "Um, actually I... Since we've all been together at the start of our travel...…. I'm feeling a bit lonely..."
"Yeah..."
As if about to resolve herself, Seia's face flushed in enticing color of red. With her mouth in obvious excitement, Seia finally uttered her last words:
"That's why! Um...…c-can we sleep together?"
Yep, It's the signal.
Figures. In this world, that term meant of something. You probably already know what I'm talking about here. Anyways, I'm not really dense as to not understand her aim here. Not in a bad way, I mean. If you're asking me if I also liked her, then yes, I do. But—
"Alright," I concur. "But we'll only be sleeping, okay?"
"Eh? Ah...…y-yes."
With her words stuttered in panic, Seia looked down in despair as if, she had just experienced her first heartbreak. She was also trembling as well. Eh?
"Sob, sob, Ugh...Un." My eyes widened in surprise. Suddenly, Seia's tears ran towards her cheeks. ah, I didn't clarify it better for her. Oh no! She's about to cry!
"Seia! I didn't mean it like that," With my heart in panic, I quickly hugged Seia as to comfort her. Ah! Her ears were slumped down! "I'm sorry for not saying it clearer for you. What I wanted to say is, I think we shouldn't rush our relationship."
As I gave her the signal of reassurance, Seia's trembling body started to calm down. I already had a gist about the customs in this world. The first started when I noticed the obvious behavior of those girls. It felt like, they we're planning together on this and that. You've also noticed why I didn't react too much when I did it with Luna and Akari, no? It might feel like I was rushing things but they're the ones who firstly engaged into me. Moreover, Luna and Akari are different from Seia. Those girls we're already self-bounded by their duty to serve me gained by their former lifestyle.
Right now, Seia was only acting on her impulse, overwhelmed by her own feelings which is why she asked me to sleep with her today. Currently was midnight, and everyone's already asleep to each of their room. It was the perfect time to do those things.
"Which is why, I will wait." I promised, combined by caressing Seia's head. Call me chicken but I'd rather want the genuine thing compared to the shallow latter. "When you felt like you really mean what you intend to do here, then I'll go and head-on accept it, alright?"
Seia gave me a nod whilst shoving her face into my chest. Haha, that kinda tickles.
"It's late midnight. We'll start tomorrow pretty early so how about we sleep now?" I head towards inside and pulled Seia's hand with me. The latter meekly followed as we head towards her room. Alright, looks like I have someone to baby with.