novelraw Chapter 238 – On the Way Out
Chapter 238 – On the Way Out
“We’re back!”
“…”
After getting a disguise, Carol, Miyuki, Bea, and I returned to the living room where Hecate and the girls from Balterra were. I put some energy into that greeting, but for some reason, they were just staring in silence.
“Who are you?” Hecate asked.
“Huh?! It’s me, Iroha! I change my looks a little, and you don’t know who I am anymore? What’s up with that? I bet you’re the type that mistakes your lover’s face and sleeps with their twin.”
“That’s quite the accusation… You changed your looks, but that was more than just a little. You have a completely different appearance. Right?” Hecate turned to the others for some backup.
It was only her, Sarasa, Ririna, and Flanne in the room. Sarasa and Ririna were on the couch, while she and Flanne were sitting on the table behind it.
“Yeah… I thought you were a different person.” Ririna said.
“And I thought the princess was in danger.” Flanne came over to this side on escort duty with Bea. She had her sword with her and almost made a mess of your new cozy home by drawing it. “Why would you make yourself look like a demon? It’s like you’re trying to give me a heart attack.”
“Are you all serious?” Sarasa asked. “I could immediately tell from the voice. And her vibe. No matter how you look at it, it was obviously her.”
“Sarasa…” Yes! At least one of them realized it! Someone who appreciates me for who I am! “You’re the best! I love you!” I ran to the couch and jumped into her arms.
“Wait wait…” Hecate stood up in a rush. “Your looks are different, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t know it was you. I could also tell from your voice!”
“Me too!” Ririna tugged on my arm. “I was a bit confused when the face didn’t match, but I also knew!”
“Nyahahahahaha! You don’t have to pretend, girls. Once you spend a little more time together, you’ll start to know Iroha better. Until then, let me enjoy my girlfriend in peace. Since I’m the one who likes her the most.” Sarasa held me like a plushie she was unwilling to share.
“You weren’t even around when we started dating! What do you know about her?” Ririna said.
“Well, I met her before either of you, so out of all of us, I should be the one who knows Iroha the best, right?” Hecate said.
“That’s even worse then!” Carol poured more fuel to the fire. “Since you have known her longer than Sarasa, you should have recognized her right away! You should be ashamed. You should apologize to her and break up!” She smirked.
“Ahh… Carol, don’t go around trying to ruin my relationships plea- mfmm mfm…” Sarasa silenced me with her boobs to push the monopolization agenda… Is she in the cahoots with Carol? Very anti-harem of her…
“Uhmm… I’m allowed to not recognize her, right?” Flanne asked. “It’s not like she’s my girlfriend or anything…”
“No.” Bea crushed her hopes. “Iroha’s your princess’s girlfriend, so you’re obligated to recognize her. Feel some shame too.”
“Grr… My apologies…”
Since I finished showing my disguise, I turned off the illusions. It took some time to coordinate my new look, but recasting the illusion will be easier.
“So? Why were you looking like a demon for no reason?” Sarasa asked while petting me in her arms.
“It’s not ‘no reason’. It’s a disguise to go to the Demon Territory. I need to go there to get my skills fixed, and I’ll be leaving… Tomorrow, was it?”
“Yep.” Miyuki said. “And the day after, the rest of you will go on your assassination mission.”
“Yayyy! I love getting revenge on my enemies!” Sarasa said.
I broke away from Sarasa’s arms and stood up. “Staying in this world until then is probably stretching it for all of you, huh? Since we have the rest of the day, maybe we could try to see if we could send you back.”
“That would involve going close to the House…” Carol said.
“And that’s pretty risky, right?” I understand… We would be better off not risking it… “Just how screwed are we exactly? I don’t think I fully understand yet. Can we never go outside again?”
“Not exactly… I think it’s not that bad…” Hecate said. “Three Records has plenty of cameras, but that only means that there is too much footage for all of it to be analyzed. If we wear some hats and don’t linger too long, we should be able to move around the city.”
“That’s only for you, though. Me and Bea can do whatever we want!” Her tone made Miyuki sound like she was bragging.
“In other words, you’re admitting that you didn’t do anything relevant when we were saving Iroha and that you don’t deserve her either. Great self-own!” Carol tapped her back.
“Huh? That doesn’t mean anything! It was all thanks to me that you were able to save Iroha!”
“Like you said, we saved her. If you’re so important, how come you didn’t make it to the wanted list?” The smug grin on Carol’s face existed just to provoke Miyuki.
“You all did great and I’m thankful for everything you did…” Time to work on the harem harmony. I walked over and pulled the two of them into a hug. “I’m gonna be counting on you even more from now on, so don’t fight, okay?”
“Hmph… We weren’t really fighting or anything…” Carol melted into my chest like the tsundere she was, and Miyuki gave a meek nod.
Heh… They’re so easy…
“How about it? Could we take them home today?” I asked. “We’re not gonna get caught going to the portal, are we?”
“The biggest danger is really being identified in one of the cameras.” Hecate said. “We can enter the woods behind the House by jumping over a fence far away from the main buildings. Like Katja, said, the PSF’s forces are going to be mostly concentrated there, so we’ll be just fine.”
“That’s nice… Hmm… Could we bring Reia with us? I promised I’d take her to the other world, so…”
“Did you call me?”
With almost perfect timing, Reia entered the room. She was living with us for now, and she came in after finishing whatever she was doing wherever she was.
“Yeah…” Her timing is almost suspiciously. “Oh well, you wanna go on a trip right now? I’ll take you to the other world.”
“Really?” There was a hint of excitement underneath the monotone voice.
“Uhmm… Iroha… I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think you should take anyone anywhere today.” Miyuki said. “You should conserve your energy for tomorrow and let Carol and Hecate escort the others back.”
“Is that so?” I walked away from the door to clear the way. Everyone was starting to stand up since they were on their way out. “If you think so, I guess I’ll stay here.” I looked over to the girls before they left. “Could I ask you to look after Reia and show her around? I promise she won’t cause too many problems.”
“Why are you asking like I’m a child?” Reia said.
“A child? No no… What gave you that idea? I only wanted to see if aunt Ririna could look after you for a few days?” Pretty please…?
“Aunt? No! That makes me sound old!” Ririna bit her lip. “And did you forget? We’re going after Thivadi next! I have to do lots of alchemy to prepare! I don’t have time to take care of her.”
“Yeah that makes sense.” Sigh… “Too bad… Looks like you won’t be able to stay overnight.”
“And I’ve been demoted to unwanted child…” You poor thing… I’ll show you the other world better when we’re safe again…
“That’s all very funny, but we can’t waste our time on jokes if we want to make it by today.” Carol guided Reia out of the room and into the hallway. But before leaving, she grabbed Miyuki’s wrist. “Unless you want to see what the other world has to offer too. We can make some time to show the MVP around. Come on.”
“Eeeek! No way! Don’t wanna! I don’t wanna go to such a gross place! Stop pulling me!” Miyuki did her best to resist. “Iroha! Save me!”
Ahh… What a soothing sight… “Good luck out there. Don’t get caught!” I waved my hand and they all left. I won’t forget your noble sacrifice, Miyuki…
“Hahh… Aahh… hahh…” Just kidding. Miyuki managed to grab onto the doorframe long enough for Carol to get tired and let her go. “Whew… I almost died…” She got left behind near the entrance. Panting and on her knees.
“It’s not that serious…”