Taking a bath with Janis's heater was a refreshing experience, and I was grateful to avoid a cold soak.
Once I finished, I asked for a white shirt and shorts, embracing the comfort of going commando. No amount of persuasion could convince me to wear panties.
Now that I was alone, I pondered how to occupy my time until Janis returned. I wanted to avoid misunderstandings, so I remained productive and focused.
~
[Third-Person POV]
"Janis, you've finished your investigation already?" A voice filled with surprise greeted Janis as she entered the room.
"Yep! I got lucky and managed to locate the monsters causing the trouble. They're three slimes with remarkable resilience, almost bordering on immortality. What's unusual is that unlike other monsters, they lack a core." Janis replied with a satisfied smile, pleased with her accomplishment.
"Monsters without a core? And they display infinite regeneration even without one?" The tone was stern as Janis's friend pressed for more details on this anomaly.
"Well... I can't say for sure. I found these monsters because of the trouble they had caused. They were fighting over a human they had wanted to devour, and to make sure that the human was safe from harm, I took her away as a priority. I used my wind cannon on one of the slimes, and it was still alive. I don't know if they regenerate to infinity, but I do know that they could be stopped. Tools such as sealing crystal work." According to what she knew, Janis' friend couldn't help but feel that something regarding these monsters was out of place.
"That's concerning. Janis, I'll assemble a team of adventurers to capture these monsters. We need a thorough investigation. If possible, I'd like you to lead the expedition. Having someone familiar with the monsters will provide reassurance," Merilyn requested with a hopeful tone.
"Of course, Merilyn! But I expect a hefty paycheck for such a dangerous task," Janis replied with a laugh, seemingly treating it as a joke.
"Call me 'village chief,'" Merilyn reminded her despite their casual exchange. Though their interaction may seem informal, their bond stretches back to when they were children. As village chief, she preferred to be addressed with the appropriate title.
"Merilyn will always be Merilyn," Janis responded with a smile, acknowledging their enduring familiarity.
"I suppose some things never change... But let's refocus. What are your plans for the human you rescued?" Merilyn redirected the conversation, and her curiosity piqued as she sought to understand Janis's intentions.
"Plans? Well, I've made a rather impulsive decision. I've decided that Roy will be my lifelong companion." Janis's announcement stunned Merilyn.
"A lifelong companion? Isn't that a bit hasty?" Merilyn couldn't help but express her concern, scanning Janis to see if she was joking.
"You can't blame me. When our eyes met, I felt a connection like never before. And whenever we touch, my body ignites with warmth. It's an exhilarating sensation that I can't ignore. I just know, deep down, that we're meant to be. It's like a tale of a heroine saving a delicate princess, a love story waiting to unfold," Janis explained fervently, her words infused with passion as she envisioned their future together. All Merilyn could do was sigh, choosing not to dampen Janis's spirits.
"Just promise me I'll get to meet this Roy. The name sounds unusual, but I hope they're not the type to take advantage of others," Merilyn requested, her skepticism evident despite Janis's enthusiasm.
"When you meet Roy, you'll adore her! Oh! I completely forgot. I left Roy at home, and I assured her I'd be back soon." Janis's realization was met with a sheepish grin as she acknowledged her oversight.
~
[Roy's POV]
As I waited for Janis to return, boredom began to grip me. Despite the books in the corner of the living room, they were unreadable to me, leaving me with few options for entertainment.
Sitting on a chair, I contemplated my future in this unfamiliar world. I was forced to consider my prospects here with no means of returning to my world. Money, shelter, and food were immediate concerns that needed addressing. The quickest route to securing them seemed to be through charming Janis, a task that could be accomplished expediently. However, the question lingered: did I truly feel a connection with Janis strong enough to warrant such a decision?
I decided to evaluate Janis's qualities. First and foremost, she had saved my life, prioritizing my safety over dealing with the monsters in the heat of battle. This act demonstrated her altruistic nature and suggested that her moral compass leaned toward the positive.
As I reflected on Janis's qualities, I couldn't deny that her physical attractiveness was undeniable. It was a common belief that elves possessed extraordinary beauty, and Janis was no exception. Her flawless, pale skin and captivating emerald eyes exuded an irresistible allure, while her long, silky green hair added to her charismatic persona.
The third excellent quality was that she was someone who could already provide for herself. She has a house large enough for a small family, and the magical display of wind magic proves that she is competent in magic.
With all these great qualities, it would be stupid not to seduce her. The only negative trait I could find was her shamelessness. Her ability to grope someone upon meeting was ballsy. Due to my unstable mental state from being summoned into this new world, I may have overreacted. I didn't mind it as much since I had low self-esteem. However, it would be a problem if done against others. If I could stop her, this problem wouldn't be an issue in the foreseeable future.
"How complicated..." I chuckled self-deprecatingly. Despite Janis's appealing qualities, I couldn't envision finding happiness in such a relationship. The vast disparity between us made me fear becoming dependent on her. The mere thought of using her left me feeling drained and disheartened.