" Master, please stand back. I'll take care of it. "
Hearing the confident voice coming from his right, it was obviously Mariane that spoke to him, and while he didn't really want a fight right now or for her to be hurt, at the same time, he really wanted to see what she was capable of and how a monster would give rewards.
" Mhm, don't get hurt. "
Nodding to her words, she was waiting for the wolf to get closer as it was walking around the pond to reach them, standing right between him and the wolf with blood colored eyes.
Honestly, it didn't seem like it would be much of a fight, after all, most five star girls could take on monsters way above their levels, and it was especially true for a member of the current meta.
Thinking about if he should tell her to activate her skill or if she could do it by herself, the wolf stopped in it's tracks for a moment before suddenly sprinting towards her.
Mariane, with a somewhat delayed action, took a battle stance and raised her shield at shoulder level, easily blocking the teeth of the monster that jumped at her to tear apart her neck, and in a swift movement, she lowered her sword to slash it on his side.
While she couldn't take it down in one hit, it was to be expected as she was still a level one, but she was doing better than what he thought, at least, he knew that he couldn't do that without training itself for it, and even so, he would probably lose his composure if the wolf were to change his pattern.
That's how bad one would need experience and actual skill to fight in the wild, but Mariane, a beastfolk from the wolf tribe, being a maid and a warrior, had the composure and the fighting experience necessary to hold her ground and actually defeat her enemies.
Though he didn't know how would she think about killing a wolf, it seemed that it was a useless worry as she didn't give mercy to the beast and slashed it's neck while he was lost in thoughts, a small notification popping up once she claimed its life.
" ... "
Hearing a small exhale coming out of her, as if relieved that it was finally done, he called back his inventory and pulled out the stamina potion from it before handing it to her.
" Mariane, take that for now. "
Of course, he didn't miss her delayed reaction time, or maybe was it just that her body was somewhat uncomfortable after the intense experience of losing one's innocence.
But in any case, he didn't intend for her to stay that way as he almost forced the flask with a bright orangish yellow liquid inside of it, against her palm.
" ... Yes, master. "
As she blushed slightly, she had a subtle smile on her lips, apparently appreciating his care for her as she quickly drank the content of the vial.
Walking towards the pond, which was the equivalent of a really small lake, the water was really clear, just like she told him, he could actually see the bottom in the middle with just his eyes, a rare sight for someone who came from cities like him.
But he didn't let himself be impressed with that as he slowly started to remove the clothes he was wearing after putting down the box he was holding since earlier.
His goal from coming here was to clean himself, and he intended to stand by it. Using his hand to pour small amount of water on top of his arms first, the only reason he didn't go in directly was simply because it was really cold.
Washing one's face and one's body with cold water were two different things, and while he could enjoy a somewhat cold shower, he never appreciated a freezing cold bath.
So by putting water on his body with his hands and frotting it, he cleaned himself slowly, taking his time to get it done correctly, especially for his back where he could reach every part of, but was still difficult to correctly wash it.
If possible, he would have asked Mariane's help for that, but since she was standing guard after they were sure that the forest now inhabited monsters, he had no choice but to do it himself.
By the way, the hardest part to clean wasn't his crotch as cold water on it was hardly sufficient to get a proper result for someone coming from a well-versed family and a clean environment, but his feet, as he had been walking barefoot since earlier.
Though the solution was quickly found as once cleaned, he would just step on his pajama to not get mud on them once again.
In the first place, he didn't intend to keep it as it was way out of place in such a world, though he will probably miss the comfort of it, he knew that in the gift boxes obtainable by doing quests and else, sometimes there was high quality male clothes that he could wear too.
But to obtain gift boxes wasn't an easy feat, and even if he had one, it would be completely randomised, so he'll just have to try his luck overtime or buy clothes from this world once in a city, the last choice being the more reasonable as of now.
" Well, how do I look ? "
Asking Mariane's opinion as soon as he was done, the clothes themselves weren't as bad as he expected them to be.
He didn't know which material was used for his pants or shirt as he wasn't an expert of it, but at least, they were comfy enough and he got to avoid the tight leather pants.
With leather shoes on, pants that reached his ankles, a belt where his money pouch was attached, a long sleeved shirt and a short leather cape covering his shoulders with a hood attached to it, it didn't seemed half bad for a fantasy medieval look if one were to ask him, but he wasn't sure how it looked on him, which is why he asked Mariane's opinion.
" ... I think it really suits you, master. "
Avoiding his stare with bright red cheeks, it was obvious what the girl seemed to think while he was cleaning himself, but he couldn't do anything about that, at least, he was glad she wasn't an expressionless block of ice from the start.
" .. Alright, let's grab some fruits to fill ourselves first and we'll try to look around for a city as well. "
Well, he wasn't a super human yet, and while he arrived in this world in pristine condition, with no hunger and full stamina, after a day of ' exercising ' , even if he rested well, he would still end up hungry at one point or another, he was just surprised that it actually took some time before he first felt the call of nature.
" I think master should return to the house while I search for consumable fruits or for traces of a city nearby. "
Considering the fact that she could fight, had higher stamina and he would probably get in her way, if he wanted to be efficient with it, he had no other choice but to agree.
" What house, it's just a small cabin. But sure, we should do that. "
Stretching himself, he then grabbed the box and put his pyjama, which was now dirty, inside of it while being under her stare.
" ... Master, should I clean it for you ? "
Eventually, he even forgot about that.
Surely, he didn't have to get rid of it just because it was a bit dirty, though he didn't intend to take it with him to a city as it would be out of place, it wouldn't hurt to keep it as long as it stayed inside the cabin.
" Then I'll leave it to your care. "
By putting down the small box, he closed the lid tightly to be sure that no small animal would open it, even if he let the lock inside the cabin, and by having the box staying here, she wouldn't have to carry it there, though she'll probably do it once coming back to the cabin.
" Alright, let's get back for now. "
And with her leading the way, he could sometime see her ears perking up as she was much more cautious than earlier, and surely not sore anymore.
But finally, when they reached the cabin, that he was told to wait in it, the small expedition came to an end.
' Should I check the rewards from hunting the wolf now ? '