I managed to carry Theresa out of the bathtub before she managed to get soaked and unable to move.　

　I hadn't had a princess cuddle since the first time I'd been greeted at the facility and played with a child my age when I went to greet her - the first time I'd carried an adult like Theresa, but she didn't feel heavy at all.

　It's partly because she's light, but it seems that as she gains experience and levels, her physical abilities improve. I knew her physical strength would increase, but it also seemed to affect her arm strength and so on.

(That's because it's the body after reincarnation, right? The same goes for being able to use skills...)

　I've adapted to the fact that I was able to use it when I used it, but support is also a magical power. If it was draining magic power, I guess I could feel it.

　However, it seems that heat was a weakness for Theresia, and her strength bar has been slightly reduced. From now on, it might be better to bathe in lukewarm water or take a water bath - not because I'm bullying you or anything, but because it's a matter of life.

　◆◇◆

　In a way, it was the right decision to let Theresia have the flame resistant 'Red Buckler', and I went up to the third floor, thinking about how I should explain this situation.

　The formations that can be set up with a license only apply when you enter the labyrinth. I could understand if it was out of necessity, but it would be surreal, or rather, eye-catching if we were walking in formation in town. And so far, I haven't seen any other parties like that.

(.........but this outfit of Theresa's.......)

　I called for the rescue of the inn's employees and had them prepare a change of clothes for Theresia, but she wore her bedtime dress-type sleepwear as it was, and didn't wear any underwear.

　It seems that sub-humans only want to wear equipment according to their own race. Weapons and shields not so much, apparently, but they don't like to wear anything on their skin except skull leather. He was also quite reluctant to wear his nightgown when he put it on.

　In other words, I'm not wearing underwear, so I can't very well show it to the other male explorers in the quarters. And me, of course.

　I should have heard more details from Leila-san about how sub-humans usually live, what they like and what they don't like, etc.

''..........''

　Not long after I had him walk in front of me after I left the bathroom, 'Supportive Recovery' was activated and Theresia's strength was restored. It's not much damage since it's a full recovery in one go, but I was worried, so I patted my chest down.

''Theresia, I'm sorry I didn't notice. You didn't like the hot stuff, did you?''

　She didn't nod. Which meant that she hadn't realized that she was vulnerable to the heat because she had been in a water bath or something all the time, not a bath.

'Can I just take a bath next time?'
..........
Well, you can choose not to get in the tub.

　Theresia shakes her head. Where does that steel will come from, wanting to soak with me even though I know I can blot it out - healthy or stubborn?

　I'll get something that makes me heat resistant in order to take a bath, or maybe I won't be as vulnerable to heat when my lizard skin reaches 2. The most ideal thing to do would be to get some heat resistant accessories or something else that would make you heat resistant, since you could use it when you turn back into a human.

(Thinking about how to counteract it by bathing, that's unique to this world...)

　I have no way of knowing what I'm contemplating, and Theresa is on the stairs before me - and when I look up, I have no choice but to cut my stomach off and apologize. Here, in memory of my shame, let's talk to Louisa-san about how to get her to put on her underwear.

　◆ ◆ ◆

　After I got back to my room, everyone else came back a short while later. I managed to explain to everyone in good faith about Theresia's visit to the men's bath.

'Well that was tough. It's hard to find people who can bring sub-humans into the party, so I was unaware of such a case.''
Jeez, calling it a problem makes my conscience ache a little bit.
If they find out you're bringing a woman into a men's bathhouse, the other residents will complain. It's not enough of a problem.

　Louisa and Igarashi are a little sobered up. Both of them are in their sleepwear, which are similar in shape, so it's clear that one part of their abilities are on par with the other.

''.........''
Well Theresa, do you mean you don't want me to be angry at your rear end?

　Theresa nodded at me with a chuckle. With that alone, my sins were greatly reduced, and as for the matter of the two of us taking a mixed bath, the flow of the story was that it was a matter of circumstance.

''Theresia-san wanted to express her gratitude to Aricht-san, didn't she?
'And I think that's a bit too bold of a move but we didn't notice it at all either, so that wasn't good.

　Suzuna followed close to me, and Elitia seemed to be suspicious of me at first, but I think she managed to clear her suspicions.

'If it was my brother, though, I think it would have been a clean bath time with nothing going on! Surprisingly, when it's just the two of you, are you more aggressive?
'I'd have appreciated it a little more if you'd only done the first half. That's one word too many.
'Haha, we were actually talking in the bath, and I was wondering how your brother is doing right now. Kyouka's sister.
Don't say anything you don't have to. For God's sake, young kids these days........

　Just the fact that Igarashi-san is bothering me in the bath is information that makes it hard to sleep at night - but after all, there are only two beds, what do you want me to do with one man and six women?

''Well, I'm going to sleep now, but can we have a countermeasure meeting?''
'I don't want you to say that while looking at me but you can sleep on the couch if you want. After yesterday, I felt bad about kicking your rear end out of the bedroom.
''That's not to say that there's anything wrong with being fastidious, Igarashi-san, but Atobe-sama is the party's meritorious leader, and she's the leader. You need to rest properly in bed.
'Oh, oh no, I'm fine on the couch. Can we sleep three at a time in bed?　My sense is that we're on the edge.

　A woman could sleep with three of us, but if you're not used to the bed, you might fall off.

''I've already used my brother's bed, so I'll be fine on the floor too!
'Suzuna and I are interrupting your visit, so I'll just take the couch and rest.
'No, I'm used to sleeping in a chair, but not everyone is, so it must be hard.
''Well then, I'll spend some time talking with Louisa-san, and you, rear, go to your bedroom and rest. That's what we've been talking about to begin with.
'Yes, I meant to. Please, Master Atobe, please take a good night's rest.

　The meeting has been difficult - I appreciate that everyone is putting me first, but I'm not that much of a fan of sleeping in bed. It's partly because the couch is far more comfortable to sleep on compared to sleeping in a row of chairs at the office.

'Well, why don't we have a fair lottery to decide?　Yes, I borrowed a quill that was in there and made a knitting pattern!
'You work fast ... and you know you have a good chance of winning, don't you?
Ehehe, well, that's fine. There's no hard feelings in this one, and if I get hit, I'll hand it over to Suzu-chan.
'Misaki-chan, don't worry about me. I want to put you first, Arihito-san.

　Suzuna is too disciplined to be disciplined. It seems that Misaki can only smile shyly because she feels that she really thinks so, rather than being concerned about it.

'After all, you don't have to decide on a lottery or anything, I'll sleep on the couch. Sleeping in the room with me would be quite difficult...''
'Oh well, don't worry about that anymore. It was my first day and I think I was just nervous and.......
Well, since you made it, please use it. Okay, that's it then!

　Misaki has everyone's names written on the Amida lottery she created. There's only one last spot left, but since I don't feel like I can beat the gambler Misaki anyway, I figured it was the same, so I wrote in my name.

　◆ ◆ ◆

　-- and what happened. I pulled a great hazing and ended up sleeping on the couch like I did yesterday.

''Well Theresa, can you sleep there?''
..........

　Everyone seemed to have been talking in the bedroom for a while, but it wasn't too long before they were all quiet, as if they were still tired. Theresia muffled her footsteps and came out of the bedroom all at once, sitting on the other couch.

　I lay down, and she followed suit. The eyelids of her skull mask grew heavier and heavier.
It closes and then snaps open.

'You don't have to take a turn at not sleeping or anything. Get as much rest as you can.
..........

　Theresia shook her head, but she still couldn't seem to beat the sleep, and eventually her eyes closed completely and she began to breathe in her sleep.

　I kept thinking about it after I saw the skills I could acquire earlier before I went to bed, but I decided to conclude and get some of the skills. I'm glad I was able to win the juggernaut, but I don't want to forget to get it and regret it.

　I think 'backwards front' is useful, but I don't think it's necessary if you have 'backdraft'. If I can automatically react to an attack, then a surprise attack from the rear would prevent me from falling down and becoming a total mess.

(But if I can grow Theresia's 'Vigilance 1' then I don't need it... hmmm.... It depends on the power of the backdraft. (That's the only thing we'll have to try.)

　After all, skill points are valuable, so my unique role should be the first priority. If that's the case, the things I should prioritize to acquire will naturally be determined.

　The skills you have acquired

　Supportive Defense 1: Reduces the blows struck by the companion in front of you by 10 points.
　Supportive Attack 1: Deals 10 points of blows in addition to the blows struck by the companion in front of you.
　Support Recovery 1: Restore the health of your friends in front of you by 5 points every 30 seconds.
　Boost Boost 1: Raise the morale of the comrade in front of you by 10 points.
　Eye of the Hawk: Improves your ability to understand the situation when you are in the rear row.

　Remaining Skill Points: 1

　The skills marked with a 'star' seem to mean that they have just been learned. The ability to grasp the situation is probably important when commanding from the back row - although I don't know how taking the skill specifically will help you.

This is a rearguard.......not bad, not bad.....)

　As I close my eyes in the low-lit room, I rapidly sink into consciousness. Moving to the royal suite would solve the bed shortage, so this might be the last time I'd sleep on the couch.

　Come to think of it, I forgot to ask Igarashi-san for her opinion on moving to a new room. Well, everything is tomorrow, but it's still not too late.





　--I can hear a voice speaking softly.

''Well you're all with me, aren't you? I just woke up, too...
I don't know what to do but I don't think I'm going to get a wink of sleep at this point.
Even in the other room I'm still aware of it just from sleeping...
Are they all the same?　How in the world can this be...
　He's sleeping a lot, brother.
Well, that's... but...


　Everyone seems to be getting up, but very sleepy. If it's a separate bedroom, it should be fine - then it's probably just a bad night's sleep after a drinking session that made me feel better or something.

(...let me sleep some more...preferably until morning...)

　The room goes quiet. I'm not sure if this is a dream or reality - but right now I still want to sleep.




　I can hear the birds. I pick myself up on the couch and stretch out wide.

　Theresia is curled up and snoozing, using her arms as a pillow. The blanket had fallen off and I gently put it back on and look around the room.

　Something seems to have happened in my sleep. It's like everyone is waking up and talking about something near where I'm sleeping....

'.........am I frustrated?
.........
'Oh, good morning, Igarashi-san. Sorry, I muttered something weird.

　Igarashi-san came out of the bedroom and seemed to have heard me talking to myself. Just because you had a strange dream doesn't mean you should give a random reason for it.


Oh, yes. I've been sleeping like mud on the couch here because it's so comfortable.
'Yeah, well I'll be in the bedroom changing when you all wake up, so don't go in there.
I understand. I'll tell Theresa to change there when she wakes up, too.
"...you're sure you didn't wake up?　You never woke up, you were asleep, weren't you?
'It may have happened, but I don't really remember...I have a vague recollection.
Well, that's probably because there was a lot of alcohol in your system and your memory is a little fuzzy, isn't it?

　She looks like she's in some kind of a hurry, I wonder what's wrong with her. Well, it's true, I feel a little lightheaded and my body feels a little flustered, so maybe there's some alcohol left in my system.

''Well, I'm going to go wash my face and wake up.
Yeah, yeah ... go ahead and take care of yourself.

　The washroom is common to each floor, so I stepped out into the hallway. For some reason, it bothered me that Igarashi-san was very affectionate - but I thought it was a good trend that she was also getting used to the other world and her personality was becoming more rounded.