Chapter 22: Team Tensions and Dark Ambush

Orphe’s Proposal

“Did I mishear? Join my team, Saintess Isidora.”

“What are you saying?!”

Patricia answered for me, my mind blank.

Orphe looked down at her.

Now that I think about it, their height difference is nearly 40 centimeters.

From a distance, they could pass for father and daughter.

“I heard outdoor training teams have five members. Isn’t it better to group with familiar faces?”

“Even so, that’s no reason for Saintess Isidora to join you! And it’d mean one of us has to leave!”

“Ugh… I don’t want to join another team…”

I haven’t even agreed yet.

Monica’s face paled at Patricia’s words.

For an ultra-introvert like her, meeting new people must be torture, so it’s a natural reaction.

But Orphe brushed off Patricia’s complaint with a shake of his head.

“No big deal. We’ll cut one from our side. I’ll ditch the guy we brought to fill the quota.”

With terms like that, we had no reason to refuse.

Tough luck for the guy getting cut.

“The other one’s Fifirel, right? Same group from lunch.”
‘Orphe, you’ve got this all planned, huh?’

He nodded, agreeing with my words.

Then he leaned in, whispering.

“When we’re out there, beasts aren’t the only threat. Erdike’s got her eyes on you.”

“Eek.”

Seriously.

I’m getting used to it, but doesn’t this guy love whispering too much?

I thought he enjoyed my reactions, but I’ve been holding back, and it’s not that.

Guess it’s just a harem protagonist’s natural skinship.

“If you join my team, I can protect you from her attacks. Decent offer, right?”

…It’s nice, but isn’t half this grudge because of you?

Giving me trouble and then offering the cure, huh?

With no real options, I agreed.

Patricia and Monica were on board too.

Patricia probably saw no reason to object.

Monica seemed relieved she wouldn’t have to bond with strangers.

Was this why he crashed our lunches?

He’s done outdoor training in the first loop, so he knew and planned this!

Terrifying harem buildup!

The Morning Shift

The next morning.

“You look well.”

Since when did Orphe wear patterned iron greaves?

Yesterday, he had plain leather ones.

Already grabbing academy perks?

“Yes, good dream?”
‘Slept like a damn log.’

I failed to get past the preface again yesterday.

I barely moved during sparring, so why was I so sleepy?

That book’s gotta be cursed with a sleep spell.

[The God of Dreams says, as before, no magic on the book.]

I know, jerk.

Why’s this sneaky god always peeking into my head?

Pervert?

[The God of Beauty says even if your shell’s a cute girl, a military vet talking like that is off-putting.]

[The God of War agrees with the God of Beauty.]

You made me a girl and now complain?

Turn me back if you’re so annoyed!

The crowd’s murmurs quieted.

I turned to see Instructor Austin in reinforced leather armor.

“Today’s goal: track and eliminate beasts. Monica!”

“Y-Yes!”

Monica jolted at being called out.

“Tracking or elimination—which is more important?”

“Um… e-elimination?”

A smile crept onto Austin’s face.

Monica mimicked it awkwardly.

But he quickly scowled and roared.

“Absolutely not! Outside the academy, it’s practically beast territory!”

“Eek!”

Monica shrank like a caterpillar at his outburst.

Austin pressed on.

“Chasing beasts can get you hunted instead! Approach outdoor training like sticking your head in a tiger’s mouth—cautious and more cautious!”

He then briefly taught survival tips: tracking beasts, actions if separated, and more.

Finished, he pulled out a small notebook we’d been given.

“Everything I said is in here. If you get lost, don’t panic—follow it. This area’s been cleared of major threats, so stay sharp, and you won’t die!”

“Instructor, you know saying that jinxes it.”

Austin laughed at Theo’s jab.

“Haha, no worries. Instructors are stationed nearby.”

That makes me more nervous…

He didn’t reshuffle teams, as we weren’t split by kingdom or empire like before.

After confirming team groupings, he signaled the start.

The Trek

“Huff… huff… slow down, please…”

“Not even ten minutes in, and you’re tired? You’ll need stamina training.”

Orphe glanced coldly at Monica, lagging behind.

Picking on someone struggling—his personality’s rotten.

As mentioned, the academy’s in a basin, surrounded by mountains.

Moving here’s like a mountain march.

That’s why I swapped my long habit for a knee-length field habit and tall boots.

Fifirel was predictably prepared, and Patricia, from her knight days, was geared up too.

“Ugh… huff… this robe’s making me sweat…”

Monica was in her usual robe.

Someone must’ve told her to wear thick-soled boots, but with the weakest stamina, her complaints weren’t surprising.

“Haa… haa…”

Her massive midsection swayed with each heavy breath.

Sorry, but that’s a nice view.

Orphe, seeing her wobbly, fawn-like legs, approached.

“No choice. Here.”

“W-What?”

“Your pack. I’ll carry it.”

Oh, harem protagonist stepping up?

Helping when someone’s struggling is golden.

Orphe took her pack and her hand, pulling her up to where the rest of us were.

He handed her off and marched ahead.

Monica kept panting.

“You okay, Monica?”
‘Look at that chest movement, damn.’

“S-Sorry, Saintess.”

Sorry for what?

I’m nothing but grateful right now.

But she kept apologizing, avoiding my eyes.

“I-I got in the way of you two… If I wasn’t so weak…”

What’s she sorry about?

Baffled, I kept moving.

“Stop.”

After about twenty minutes, we found beast tracks.

Farther from the academy than expected.

A bit worrying, but Austin said instructors were nearby, so we’ll trust that.

Orphe studied the footprints and stood.

Slightly right of our path.

The vegetation looked lush and ominous.

“Is it safe to go in?”
‘Looks f*cking creepy.’

“It’s fine. Plants get like that under magic’s influence. Probably the beast.”

Fifirel’s confident reply.

Orphe nodded in agreement.

“Let’s go in! Grab one and head back!”

“Don’t rush ahead, Arkis.”

“Where’s my ‘Lady,’ huh?!”

Orphe ignored Patricia and pushed through the dense trees.

“Honestly, not a shred of refinement in that man…”

The others followed him into the dark forest, even Monica without hesitation, so I couldn’t lag.

“Everyone, let’s go!”
‘Don’t leave me alone!’

I hurried after them.

A Sinister Plot

“Big brother, we hooked a big one.”

“Seems so. A hero and a saintess. What’s the plan, little sis?”

A thoughtful voice from the younger sibling.

“…Wanna have a taste first?”

She smirked, releasing the instructor’s sleeve.

The blood-soaked, unconscious instructor collapsed without resistance.

Thud!

His sprawled limbs declared his death.

“Sounds good.”

I carefully wiped the blood from her cheek with a handkerchief.

“They’re supposed to be impressive fighters, right?”

“Yeah, hilarious.”

I smiled at her words and handed her a mask.

The masks had perception-disrupting magic—no one could guess who we were.

“You put it on right?”

“Yup!”

I double-checked her mask despite her answer.

Only after confirming with my own hands did I hold hers tightly and step onto the teleportation circle.

The glowing circle enveloped us, leading to the forest where the hero and saintess’s group headed.

When we open our eyes, the gift we demons have long awaited will be before us.