CH 85

Chapter 85 - Lap pillow and the Fog Ghost

Souya was lying on his back, on Mia’s lap.

Five minutes had already passed with his eyes closed and in silence. I don’t know if it’s the comfort or the awkwardness that’s keeping me from making a single move.

“…… The rain won’t stop. And the thunder, too. It reminds me of that first day when I met Souya-san.”

Mia’s words broke the silence between them.

It seemed that she, too, was remembering the day when they had arrived in Ilstadt from the meadow where they had met.

The sudden heavy rain that had hit the central square and the night of the lightning. I wonder if Mia had told Merylou about the events of that day? Souya was a little curious, but he couldn’t ask, so he tried not to think about it.

“In that case, maybe tomorrow will be sunny.”

The day after the stormy night in Ilstadt was sunny. The next day after the stormy night in Ilstadt had been sunny, and that was all, and had nothing to do with the current weather outlook.

The dialogue, which was based on forced and wishful thinking, lacked humor and was dull.

(…… This is bad. I must be crazy. I thought I was here to check out what was going on in the stable in the first place.)

There was nothing wrong with the room when I looked around earlier, but I don’t think that’s a relief. It’s hard to imagine that Tat and Rams could be mistaken at the same time.

When Souya opened his eyes for his original purpose, he saw Mia peeking anxiously into his face.

When he was on her lap, his vision was blurry due to the glasses being placed beside him, but it was convenient for Souya, who did not want to look at her face.

“…… Souya-san, how are you feeling?”

Mia worriedly put her hand on Souya’s forehead and confirmed that he had no fever.

“…… Actually, it’s not so good. Every single movement you make is a part of you feeling dull …… Speaking of which, Merylou-kun seems to have taken to you quite well.”

Souya recalled the ecstatic expression on Merylou’s face when she was on Mia’s lap in the mountain lodge. This is the first time I’ve actually felt this way, and I can understand why she felt that way.

“The other night, when the three of us were having a party, I was taking care of Merylou because she didn’t look well. Then she begged me like that every day, and it became a habit …… I may have spoiled her a little too much, but I didn’t feel bad about it either.”

She explained the situation to him and gave him an embarrassed smile. This is typical of Mia’s behavior. If it’s like that every day,

At that time, Merylou was quite drunk from the red wine. As expected, she was still drunk after we parted.

“Then, I’ll follow Merylou-kun’s example and beg for it every day.”

“…… What? …… Um …… E-Everyday?”

Mia was taken aback by Souya’s sudden request, and her voice was slurred. I saw Mia finally avert her gaze, perhaps out of embarrassment.

“I’m just kidding. Thanks a lot. I’m feeling much better.”

Feeling good about finally being able to tease her as he always did, Souya got up from Mia’s lap, got down on one knee, picked up his glasses nearby, and put it on his face.

“I’d like you to let her off the hook if you can. You told me you had a way to make her feel better, after all. I was going to use that as a reference, but unfortunately, it’s something I can’t quite copy.”

Souya stood up, shrugged his shoulders, and smiled bitterly.

In the late evening battle, I had just received a strong rebuke from Merylou for attempting to deal with the bronze demon’s self-destructive behavior.

“I’ll leave that to you, Mia-kun. It seems I’m more likely to make Merylou-kun sulk.”

“That’s not true. Merylou-san was grateful for Souya-san’s efforts. She also said that she felt worthless because of her lack of strength, forcing Souya-san to work so hard. It’s the same for me ……”

Mia’s expression clouded over for a moment, as if she felt her own disappointment, but she quickly switched to a dignified expression.

“So when I went forest bathing in Thrail, I made up my mind with Merylou-san. That I would try my best to help Souya-san. Just being protected is not enough ……”

It was at that moment that Mia was about to say her resolute words.

A white mist was beginning to loom over the stable.

“A white fog …… Is it the ghost that Tat-san was talking about ……?”

With a startled look on her face, Mia picked up her cleric staff, stood up, and took up a fighting stance. Even though she was waiting for it to come out, it was admirable that she didn’t scream like Tat did.

After a while, the mist swirled around with a roar and began to take on the shape of an angry person right in front of them.

“Mia-kun. Stand back.”

Souya didn’t move, but slowly squinted his eyes, calmly observing the snarling and writhing mist.

Then he put his finger on his glasses and activated the Weakpoint, a function of the glasses that the goddess had put on for a long time.

(…… I have forgotten. I should have used this from the beginning. I guess I have to admit that you were in a state of mindless after all.)

Souya smiled thinly. Through the glasses, the weak points of the opponent within the range of vision appeared like thermography. It was not a humanoid fog that imitated the shape of anger, but from a small straw in the corner of the stable.

(–The fog is an illusion. If you’re this good at it..)

“…… You must have been here first. I’m sorry I came after you. You’ve been watching us both, haven’t you? I want you to know that I’m not hostile. I’m a magician, just like you.”

Souya spoke to the small pile of straw.

If you can use the magic Illusion, which combines sound and sight, it is a sign that you are a high-level magician.

After a few moments of silence, the angry humanoid mist’s shapes slowly dissipated with the sound of wind.

And then, out of the small pile of straw, emerged a black cat with good-looking fur.

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