Pawahara Seijo no Osananajimi to Zetsuen Shitara, Nanimokamo ga Umaku Iku Yō ni Natte Saikyō no Bōke

[The Morning After]

The next morning, I woke up while feeling Kaya-san’s warmth on my chest.

Yesterday I repeatedly persuaded her to only do it with someone she really loved, just like I told her before, but then she said with a pleading look: “You are the only one I love!” So, I resolved myself to take responsibility.

Just that, embracing her first before Igniver-sama, a god, would be awkward in various ways, so I asked for her understanding regarding that.

And fortunately, Zana and Tirna showed their understanding as well.

If it was the other three girls, it was highly likely that they would’ve asked to be embraced first.

Well, I’d eventually need to tell those three about Kaya too, though…

Anyways, after sleeping with Igniver-sama, my power evolved further.

It powered up so much that she even jokingly said, “Hmm, you can even claim yourself to be the God of Fire henceforth, don’t you think?”

My skill also changed from 《Phoenix》 to 《Divine Phoenix》, but its description was still the same, leading me to guess that the change was something that brought a rise in its quality.

Furthermore, through the Phoenix Seal, the girls apparently acquired new Combat Arts and Magic Arts, too; it truly left nothing to be desired.

Of course, I wondered if it was okay if things kept going well like this, but Igniver-sama then told me, “It just means that is how much hardships you’ve been through. Isn’t it natural for you to be compensated for it?”, causing me to feel very blessed.

In that case, let’s make full use of this power—with that in my mind, I asked Kaya-san about the whereabouts of Adamantia, which was our original aim, as we were finishing breakfast.

She said that the fishermen still caught sight of it wandering around the nearby sea.

So afterward, we immediately went out to the sea. After asking Tirna to do some exploring undersea, Zana and I waited for her return on the boat but,

“By the way, would this make Kaya-san a ‘local wife’?” Zana suddenly started speaking.

“What are you saying out of the blue…” I gave her a stare with half-closed eyes.

“I mean, isn’t that the case? You can’t bring her around since she isn’t a saintess, and you can only have her stay here until our journey ends.”

“Well, you’ve got a point, but…”

“Then, she really is a local wife. Aren’t you glad? The fact that you have someone waiting for you can be a surprisingly powerful source of strength, you know?”

“…Indeed.”

I didn’t know if she was being serious about it, but I did promise Iris I’d take her as a wife, too.

Yup, I need to do my best for those who are waiting for me.

As I was seriously chewing on Zana’s words, *splash* Tirna showed up from the surface of the sea and said, “—Found it. It’s hiding in its shell at the bottom of the sea.”

◇ ◇

No matter how much my flame had strengthened, there was no way I’d be able to make Hihiirokane in the sea.

Hence, we decided to drag it out to the surface of the sea.

“Okay, I’m counting on you. I’ll take care of the rest once it surfaces.”

“Mm, leave it to me. I’ll definitely bring that Adamantia over.”

“Yeah, be careful.” Nodding, I patted Tirna’s head.

When I did, she happily broke into a smile before diving into the bottom of the sea again.

As such, I transformed into Vermillion Bird Form and waited for the signal from Tirna.

“Hey, Exa.”

“Mm? What’s wrong?”

As we were silently waiting, Zana suddenly spoke up.

“I’ll be very motivated if you pat my head too.”

“Haha, alright.” Smiling, I gently patted Zana’s head as well.

“Fufu, thanks. It’s very comforting.” Like Tirna, her cheeks flushed red in happiness.

Come to think of it, we hadn’t done this kind of skinship much lately.

She seemed happy, so I was glad.

At that moment.

――SPLAAAAAAAAAASSSHHH!

“—Kigyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?”

““!””

A huge turtle suddenly popped out from the surface of the sea.

――It was the Adamantia.

“Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Of course, the one who was slamming her whole body into its abdomen was Tirna.

She was probably using the highest-ranked Combat Art she received from Sinus-sama.

“Exa!”

“Ou!”

Giving a big nod to Zana’s call, I flew to Tirna’s side with full speed.

Then.

“—Prometheus Execution!”

――BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!

Another sun appeared in the sky.