“And this also serves as the King’s reward for Ouga. You’ve already declined the title. For His Majesty’s face, accept this honestly.”
Father added a supplementary explanation, mistaking my struggle.
There was never an escape route……
I’d recently formally declined the title bestowal through Father.
The reason is obvious. The freedom I seek doesn’t need such labels.
“Understood. I’ll work hard to meet the King’s expectations.”
“Hahaha. The King will be pleased. I’m proud my son has been chosen for such a prestigious position.”
In high spirits, Father clapped my shoulder.
“Later, I’ll personally explain the library’s location. You’re still recovering from the battles. Stretch your wings for a while.”
“I’ll happily accept.”
“Reina, if you have trouble, tell me immediately. Don’t hesitate.”
“Thank you. But I’m fine. As long as I can stay with Ouga-kun, that’s enough.”
“Hahaha! Is that so! ……Grandchildren may be soon, then.”
Father muttered something I didn’t quite catch; Reina hadn’t either, so it wasn’t important.
“Lord Ouga, Lady Reina. Dinner is prepared. Please come to the dining hall.”
“Perfect timing. Eat plenty. I’m leaving soon.”
So saying, Father rose and donned his coat.
The discussion seemed concluded.
As we were leaving, “Ouga” called me back.
“I’ll keep going after the nobles in Reina’s intel. After this final round, depending on results, we’ll plot counter-Floné moves. House Veret backs you fully, Ouga.”
His face wasn’t Duke Gordon Veret, but father-of-Ouga……
That fact made me a little happy.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
After that. We played as if to vent the pent-up stress from the past days of nonstop work.
A student’s duty is study, but breaks are vital for mental health.
Especially with the King forcibly involving me, blood-stained scenes will increase.
Spending leisure being crushed would burn me out first.
With that in mind, today I granted the girls’ request to visit our private beach.
”…………”
”…… What about my abs, Karen.”
“Eh, ah, no…… well! I was thinking, Ouga’s body is amazing~”
“I’ve trained for a long time.”
Come to think of it, this is Karen’s first time directly seeing my body.
“M-may I touch?”
“Don’t hold back, enjoy.”
“Mn……”
Karen, blushing as red as her hair, gripped my arm first.
“O-oh~. So thick……”
”…………”
“Wow, rock-hard. Doesn’t fit in both my hands.”
”…………”
The expression and lines combined make this feel oddly suggestive.
Her water-soaked hair sticking to her cheek is curiously seductive.
Of course, releasing desires here guarantees disgust, so absolutely not.
“Chest is thick too…… sturdy.”
So saying, Karen pressed her face to my chest.
Cooled by the water, the warmth of her body felt warmer.
Aware we were touching directly without clothes between us, embarrassment welled up.
…… But not unpleasant.
While we shared silent time, Mashiro’s noisy voices broke the silence from behind.
“Wah! Miss Alice is rock-hard too! Amazing~”
“Pushing it just bounces my finger back……”
“Fufu. As Lord Ouga’s blade, I can’t be dull.”
Mashiro and Reina were poking Alice’s six-pack with their fingers.
…… Seeing that body, ordinary men of the world would lose confidence.
That much, you could tell at a glance.
“Rock-hard, rock-hard.”
Reina poked Alice’s abs again.
About to charge a third time, she changed direction — toward the next person, the food-loving girl.
”…… Poyoyo~n.”
“Reina-san!? I’ll get angry!?”
“Ahaha, sorry~”
Mashiro turned demon-red and chased Reina.
But sad to say. Mashiro’s athleticism could never catch Reina.
Reina has body enhancement, so zero chance.
Well — good exercise……as I watched, Karen was now savoring Alice’s abs.
“Hmm……”
“What’s wrong?”
“I was wondering whose abs are harder, Ouga’s or Alice’s…… I can’t tell.”
Karen shrugged.
I see. Indeed, I’d never verified that.
Alice checks my body thoroughly during training, but I rarely touch hers.
…… I’m curious too.
“Alice. May I touch?”
“L-Lord Ouga too!? N-nothing impressive, but…… if you wish…… please.”
Rarely shaken, Alice quickly composed herself and offered her abs.
Permission granted, I gently touched her stomach.
Oh…… magnificent hardness……
Not a pinchable spot anywhere.
Like pushing a giant fortress wall.
With the other hand I pressed my own abs, but didn’t feel that level of solidity.
I need more discipline.
To reach her level, I need to push the body further.
So there’s still room to grow not only in magic but physically. Worth knowing — touching Alice’s abs paid off.
…… No, let me revise.
I burned the moment of Alice blushing into memory.
That’s the greatest harvest.
“Lord Ouga…… is that enough?”
“Yes, thanks. I learned a lot.”
“If it served you, I’m glad. ……Now, I shall swim a bit!!”
“Eh.”
“M-Miss Alice!?”
“Uaaaaaaaaa!”
Alice dashed across the sand and with unbelievable leg strength performed a dozen-meter jump, then dove and began swimming.
The momentum was extraordinary, spraying water; her figure receded.
Eventually Alice’s shouts faded too.
”…… Is she okay?”
”…… If it’s Alice, no worries. More importantly……”
Turning around, Mashiro lay collapsed on the ground, and Reina was poking her plush belly.
I’d thought Mashiro’s voice had gone silent…… as expected.
”…… Let’s carry her to the parasol.”
“Ahaha…… right.”
Wearing wry smiles, we went to rescue Mashiro.
For reference — Alice returned three hours later.
Carrying a fish nearly her own height hooked on her hip.
◇ Today’s noon manga update is live~
https://comic-walker.com/contents/detail/KDCW_AM19204307010000_68/ ◇