“...Are you sure?”
Sitting on the sofa, Rei stopped mid-motion as he was about to take a sip of his black tea and looked toward Elena.
She had just told him that she intended to give him everything they had defeated—every monster encountered on the way to the dungeon and those within its depths—as his reward.
“There is no issue. To begin with, we have no connections to sell magic stones, materials, or Proof of Subjugation Parts.”
(I see. Come to think of it, Vel was supposedly the one in charge of those matters.)
Rei nodded inwardly, yet a point of curiosity remained.
“You might lack the connections, but if you truly intended to sell them, wouldn’t someone buy them? They might try to lowball you, but you’d get something. Or you could just ask the driver.”
“True. However, I have caused you a great deal of trouble this time, Rei. This is essentially all I can offer you... Ah, no. That is not right. There is still one more thing, isn’t there?”
“...Elena?”
Rei questioned her as she murmured to herself, as if she had suddenly struck upon an idea, but she merely shook her head as if it were nothing.
“At any rate, I am content to let you have every monster obtained during this incident. You may have forgotten, but I am still the Duke's Daughter, and I have achieved a fair amount of fame as a soldier as well. I have no need for money, and as for honor, I have already been granted a title as grand as the Princess General.”
“Well, if you’re fine with it, I have no complaints.”
Elena nodded in satisfaction and brought the tea to her lips with her usual elegant grace.
“...Ara, I am sorry, but could you bring another cup of tea? And perhaps something light to snack on.”
“Ah, yes. I will prepare it immediately.”
At Elena’s request, Ara gave a small bow and left the room.
Elena watched her go, and once the door had clicked shut, she fell into a sudden silence, fixing her gaze intently on Rei.
“...Elena?”
“Rei, I am sorry, but... could you... lend me your ear? Yes, lean in closer.”
“What is this so suddenly? Well, I don't mind, but...”
Though confused, Rei rose from the sofa and moved to Elena’s side, leaning his ear toward her.
“...”
Elena remained silent. Rei felt a sense of oddity and waited for a few seconds, but since she made no move to speak, he grew suspicious and started to turn his head back toward her.
Suddenly, Elena’s hand pressed against Rei’s cheek, forcing him to face her directly.
Under normal circumstances, Rei’s physical abilities would have made such a thing impossible, but the current Elena had inherited the Ancient Dragon’s Power, however incomplete it might be. Purely in terms of physical ability—setting magic power aside—she was a match for him. Caught off guard, Rei found himself unable to resist as his face was jerked around to meet hers.
...Of course, she was still unable to fully control that strength. Had it been anyone other than Rei she had just yanked, they likely would have suffered severe whiplash.
“Hey, wha—”
Rei couldn't finish his sentence. Elena’s lips were already pressed firmly against his.
“...”
The act was so incredibly sudden that Rei’s eyes widened in shock. However, as he saw that Elena’s beautiful face was dyed a deep, burning crimson, Rei—who certainly did not dislike her—accepted her lips without resistance.
They were soft and felt somewhat cool to the touch. A scent like citrus—likely her own natural fragrance mixed with perfume—enveloped him, creating a unique and pleasant aroma.
He had no idea how long they stayed like that. It was the first kiss of Rei’s life, and since it was with a woman as stunning as Elena, he could do nothing but lose himself in the moment.
Eventually, their lips gently parted, and a heavy silence dominated the room.
It had been a simple kiss, but Rei was a boy from the countryside who was notoriously dense about such matters. Elena, despite her status as a Duke's Daughter giving her access to such knowledge, had been far more interested in honing her martial arts until she became known as the Princess General. Because they were both who they were, they were each other’s first.
“I—I have offered up my Maiden's Lips for the first time, so that should be more than sufficient as a reward, shouldn't it!?”
Elena spoke with a deliberately haughty tone, but her face was even redder than before. Because her skin was naturally pale, the flush stood out with startling intensity.
“Ah... yeah. I guess.”
Rei could only mutter a vague response, trying to hide his own embarrassment.
Back in Japan, Rei had been fond of novels and manga, so he had a fair amount of theoretical knowledge. However, actually experiencing it was a different matter entirely.
Silence filled the room once more, but Elena broke it again, perhaps unable to bear the quiet.
“L-Listen. Do not think I am the kind of woman who would grant her lips to just anyone. Rei, it was only because it was you that I permitted such an act.”
“That... Er, I don't really know what to say...”
Rei’s face was now just as red as Elena’s.
“No, you do not have to say anything! In fact, do not say a word!”
She seemed to be replaying the event in her mind, her face remaining flushed.
They returned to their seats in an awkward, stifling atmosphere. A few minutes later, there was a sudden knock on the door.
Both of them jumped with exaggerated surprise before turning toward the entrance.
“Lady Elena, there were only cookies available, but...”
Ara entered the room carrying a silver plate of cookies.
However, there was no way that Ara—who was utterly devoted to Elena—would fail to notice the indescribable tension in the air.
“Um, this atmosphere is... Hah! Lord Rei, did you do something to Lady Elena?”
Ara directed a sharp, piercing gaze at Rei. From her perspective, she had only been gone for a short while, yet her revered Lady Elena was blushing and stealing glances at Rei. Knowing the usually dignified Elena, this was unbelievable. It was the look of a maiden in love...
She hurriedly shook her head, trying to dispel the thought.
“Lord Rei? Do you have something you should say to me?”
“N-No. Not really...”
Rei hesitated and reflexively looked toward Elena. Elena, in turn, blushed even deeper as their eyes met.
“...Lord Rei. It is true that you saved us many times in the dungeon, and I am indebted to you for gifting me this Power Axe. But if you think you can use that as a shield to forcibly make advances on Lady Elena...”
Ara’s hand slowly reached for the handle of the Power Axe on her back. She looked ready to strike at any moment.
“Wait, Ara! Rei has done no such despicable thing to me!”
Perhaps realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, Elena called out sharply, even as her face remained red.
“But, Lady Elena...”
“That is enough. I am telling you it is nothing. Is there anything more that needs to be said?”
“...You really didn't have anything done to you?”
“Umu. ...If anything, I was the one who did it.”
She whispered the last part under her breath, and fortunately, Ara didn't hear it. ...However, it was perfectly audible to Rei, whose Five Senses were far sharper than an ordinary person's.
Begrudgingly, Ara accepted the explanation. She placed the plate of cookies on the table and sat down beside Elena.
Rei didn't think he was imagining it when he noticed the gaze she directed his way remained quite sharp.
The conversation didn't pick up much after that, and with their departure time approaching, they all headed to the entrance to the Lord's Mansion.
“Oh, you’re just in time. I was just about to send someone for you.”
As they stepped outside, Daskar, the Margrave and master of the house, greeted them.
Nearby stood the carriage Elena and Ara were using. The Adventurer hired as a driver was already settled in the driver's seat.
Kyuste's Remains, which had been stored in the Misty Ring, were placed into a coffin—a specialized Magic Item—and loaded onto the carriage. Beside it, they laid the Water Magic Spear that Kyuste had wielded.
“Moving fast, aren't you, Rei? A morning tryst with the Duke's Daughter, Lady Elena?”
Daskar let out a booming laugh.
He likely intended to tease them, but his timing could not have been worse.
Rei immediately looked away, Elena looked down with a bright red face, and a murderous intent began to billow from Ara.
“H-Hey? You guys, don't tell me...”
“...No, Lord Daskar. It is nothing, so please do not trouble yourself over it.”
Ara spoke with a smile, but her eyes held an intensity that brooked no argument.
“Guruuu?”
As if to dispel the heavy air, Set made its appearance.
“...Set?”
“Ah, yeah. I called for him. He challenged the dungeon alongside you, so he has the right to see you off.”
Daskar finally snapped out of it at Set’s arrival. Elena also looked toward the Gryphon, her expression returning to its usual calm.
“Set, we were truly saved thanks to you this time. If you hadn't been there, we likely would have been overwhelmed by the numbers of the troop of Water Monkeys. You have my gratitude.”
“Gurururuuu.”
Set let out a happy cry as Elena smiled and stroked its head. Ara, watching the scene, finally stopped releasing her pressure and approached the Gryphon.
“It is as Lady Elena says. You truly were a great help.”
In Ara’s outstretched hand was some Dried Meat, which Set happily pecked up with its beak.
“Fufu. Seeing him like this, it is hard to believe he is an A-Rank Monster. He’s so adorable.”
“Indeed. He’s so friendly, yet he fights with unbelievable courage in combat.”
“Heh. So a Gryphon really is that incredible?”
Intrigued by their praise, Daskar chimed in. The fact that he didn't seem bothered by the strange atmosphere from earlier was proof of his character as a Margrave.
“Yes. I believe that if Rei and Set team up, even your average A-Rank Party wouldn't even come close to them.”
“...Is that so?”
Daskar smiled as if he had just heard something very valuable. Elena and Ara then stepped away from Set and approached the Margrave.
“If Lord Daskar had not dispatched Rei as my guard, I likely would not have returned from the dungeon. ...I am glad you sent him. Even if it was due to a mistake on our part, I cannot thank you enough.”
By 'mistake,' she meant Vel’s machinations to limit the mission to D-Rank. Rei understood that much.
Elena and Daskar shook hands, and Ara gave a deep bow.
“Just like Lady Elena, I was also greatly helped by Lord Rei. I have no words to express my gratitude for Margrave Larkus's foresight.”
Daskar smiled at them both. This wasn't the scheming smile from when he had heard about Rei’s strength, but a pure, straightforward, and masculine smile.
“Don't worry about it. If Lady Elena had died in my territory, it would have been a disaster for me. I'm not going to pretend this was purely an act of kindness.”
“Even so, the fact remains that we were saved because of it. Please allow me to thank you.”
“As a member of the Neutral Faction, having the Noble's Faction in my debt isn't a bad thing at all.”
Saying this, Daskar squeezed the hand Elena had offered. Finally, Elena and Ara turned to Rei.
“...Rei, you were truly a great help. Regarding Kyuste's Remains as well, if you hadn't been there, we wouldn't have been able to return him to his family. If the opportunity arises, please come and visit my home. I shall welcome you as the Successor of Duke Kerebel's House.”
“Lord Rei, I shall treasure this Power Axe.”
“Yeah, stay safe, you two. If a war breaks out, I’ll be there to help.”
“Indeed. With Rei and Set, I feel as though we could stand against even the mighty Bestia Empire.”
Elena smiled at Rei’s words. Ara thought she saw a certain womanly allure in that smile that was different from before, but she remained silent and simply watched them.
“Then... stay well.”
“Yeah. You too, Elena.”
“...Hm? Since when did you two start speaking so familiarly? You weren't like that yesterday.”
“!? Ah, no. This is, well...”
“Lord Daskar, because Lady Elena and Lord Rei overcame danger together, they realized they could trust one another. Lady Elena told him there was no need for formal speech.”
Ara spoke up to cover for the flustered Elena. Sensing something, Daskar smiled again.
“I see, I see. To win the trust of the Princess General herself. Well done, Rei.”
“...Thank you.”
Rei gave a wry smile at Ara's cover and bowed his head to Daskar.
“Lady Elena, we should depart. If we take any more time here...”
“Umu, you are right. ...Rei.”
As Rei looked at her, Elena took a step forward and whispered softly into his ear.
“I have given you my first. The price for a Maiden's Lips is by no means cheap.”
She left him with that brief parting shot and the lingering citrus scent of her natural musk, quickly stepping into the carriage.
“Then, we shall take our leave. Thank you truly for everything.”
Ara gave one final farewell, and the carriage departed from Margrave Larkus's Mansion, heading into the city streets.
...Leaving Rei standing there, his cheeks still flushed.