Chapter 479 - 479: Night Training

The expedition's temporary base had been built on a massive rock slab. It stood on high ground with a clear view, allowing them to spot and respond immediately to any abnormal changes on Floor 50.

The camp itself was quite spacious. Rest tents were set up on the left and right sides, while the square area in the middle served as a command post, a place to maintain weapons, and a temporary dining area. It also acted as a natural barrier between the men and women, letting the women sleep and rest in peace.

Bell had originally been assigned to the tents on the left, but now he was on the other side.

The reason this had not caused an uproar was that Bell was hardly in good condition.

"Ais-san… what are you doing…?"

Anakitty had already taken off her armor and weapons, leaving her in only a thin nightgown.

She did not seem to have fully composed herself yet and was standing alone outside the tent, watching the forest.

When Ais stepped into the right-side camp, Anakitty covered her chest with one hand and could not help frowning.

"I'm going to sleep…"

Ais stated her destination honestly.

"No… that's not the issue. What happened to Bell Cranel on your back?"

Anakitty could not hold back the question any longer.

She knew Ais was absurdly airheaded, but this situation was far too strange, wasn't it?

Why was she carrying Bell Cranel on her back? Was he hurt? There was no alarm in the camp, so who did it? Even if Bell Cranel was hurt, why not give him a potion instead of carrying him into the women's rest area? And what kind of answer was "I'm going to sleep"? At least explain the boy on your back, nya?!

Anakitty's questions came one after another, but before she could get even one reasonable explanation, Ais had already started walking deeper into the camp.

"Aki… breasts… are dangerous…"

Ais muttered as she escaped the Catgirl's line of sight.

"..."

Anakitty watched the blonde girl hurry away and let out a quiet sigh.

"I just hope those two don't cause any trouble…"

Before Anakitty could even finish speaking, a startled cry rang out beside another tent.

"Huh?! Cranel-san?!!"

Ryuu did her best to keep her voice down, lest Loki Familia's members misunderstand and think a monster was attacking.

In her shocked sky-blue eyes, the boy lay motionless on Ais's back.

Only then did Ryuu realize that Bell had completely passed out.

"Sword Princess… what are you doing?"

Ryuu asked in confusion.

"I'm going to sleep with Bell…"

Ais answered frankly.

Hearing that, Ryuu stepped in front of the blonde girl.

"...? Are you going to stop me?"

Ais said it like a threat.

"No…"

Ryuu pressed her lips together. The two of them had not only fought together before, they also had ties from the past, so Ryuu naturally understood how powerful the Sword Princess was. If they came to blows, it could very well affect the expedition.

Even so, Ryuu endured her embarrassment and tried to ask clearly, "A-are you going to do that sort of thing with Cranel-san?"

"..."

Ais understood what she meant.

A rare faint blush colored her cheeks, and she hurriedly explained, "We're just sleeping… nothing else…"

"Mm, if that's the case…"

Ryuu, despite being the one who asked, blushed and fled the scene instead.

Judging by the result alone, that exchange had made her look like a girl in heat trying to lead on an innocent girl. They were in the middle of an expedition, in a camp surrounded by women, so how had she found the nerve to ask something like that?!

Once Ryuu realized this, she instantly became a useless girl, with no room left to think about the boy at all.

"..."

Ais tilted her head slightly, letting the cold wind wash the warmth from her face. Without stopping for long, she headed toward the tent where she slept.

"Ais, Argonaut-kun! Were you two training just now too?"

Tiona waved a huge double-bladed sword as she greeted them cheerfully.

Dancing along with her was her Amazoness sister, Tione.

"Idiot. Ais must have had that kind of idea, that's why she carried the boy over here."

Tione swung a huge halberd taller than herself and smiled meaningfully.

The two of them were playing a song of metal.

It was less like gentle, well-coordinated training and more like a fierce clash born from mutual dissatisfaction.

Every impact between the double-bladed sword and the halberd sent out a surging roar, yet even those fierce metallic clashes failed to wake Bell.

"It's not like that… I'm just going to sleep with Bell…"

After giving that brief explanation, Ais hurried away.

"Sleep with Argonaut-kun? I want to, too—?"

Before Tiona could finish, Ais had already disappeared.

Her bright smile froze on her face. In the next instant, the halberd came straight for her.

"Are you stupid? Ais was obviously embarrassed, that's why she said it like that. What's actually going to happen… is that she's definitely going to climb on top of the boy."

Tione scolded her little sister.

"She was obviously telling the truth, okay? You're the idiot!"

Tiona swung her blade back in protest.

"Either way, could you really accept sleeping with Bell Cranel and doing that sort of thing with him?"

Tione struck the decisive blow.

"I-I haven't thought that far yet."

Tiona's momentum weakened.

She did have a certain fondness for the boy, but that definitely was not romantic… right?

"See? You really are an idiot. Since you don't understand anything, don't go sticking your nose into it."

Tione pressed her advantage, swinging her halberd again and again to shrink the space Tiona had to block.

"You're making me mad! Tione, aren't you the same? You're always going on about pursuing strong men and pretending to be a lady. Argonaut-kun is that strong, so what do you think of him?"

Tiona shot back angrily.

Love and romance had nothing to do with either of them, did it?

A little thought made it obvious. No matter how cheerfully they smiled, the things that had happened in the past would not change.

"I admit that boy is strong, but he still isn't strong enough to knock me down. If that day ever comes, even if I have to wag my tail and throw myself at him, I'll do it."

Tione answered without the slightest hesitation.

All the ladylike training she had done until now was for the one destined for her.

Whether in the past or the future, Tione did not think too deeply when it came to choosing a partner.

"That's annoying… Argonaut-kun is already really strong!"

Tiona latched onto the gap in her words and refused to let go.

"Ugh, I knew talking to you about this was pointless."

Tione casually ended the topic.

The roar of metal echoed between the tents, and the two did not stop their swift offense and defense until it was time to sleep.

"Yay~ Time to sleep with Argonaut-kun!"

"I already told you… Never mind, let's go see what's going on. But wipe off your sweat first, idiot."

***

...

...

If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.

[email protected]/PinkSnake (70 Chapters Ahead).

You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.

***