"The reason I stopped those services is simple, no need to dig too deep," Yusha said, gesturing toward Astrid with a gentle wave of her hand, her tone dry but laced with a hint of protectiveness.
Eldric's eyes slid from Yusha to Astrid, genuine surprise crossing his face. "Seriously? You haven't done that with her yet?" he asked, his voice dripping with exaggerated shock.
"Obviously not, you creep!" Yusha shot back, pointing an accusatory finger at him, her eyes narrowed with irritation.
"Haha, now that's impressive. Looks like your time out here hasn't been wasted after all," Eldric teased, grinning.
Astrid frowned, confused. "Done what, Yusha?" she asked, leaning forward, her curiosity outweighing her discomfort.
"Nothing, my dear, nothing," Yusha replied quickly, waving her hands with a forced smile, clearly trying to change the subject.
Eldric let out a loud laugh, the sound echoing through the room. He took another sip of his tea, setting the cup down on the table with a soft clink. "To be honest, I came to see if this story of yours was true. Back at HQ, most people think you've lost it. A girl showing up here out of nowhere? That's suspicious at the very least. But you kept mentioning her in your reports, so I had to see it for myself. And here we are."
Yusha let out a long sigh, bringing her cup to her lips and taking a sip before responding. "Your habit of sticking your nose where it doesn't belong is going to cost you one day, Eldric," she said, her tone heavy with exasperation. "Anyway, that's not what I need to talk about." She set her cup down on the table with a firm motion and continued, "It's simple. I want you to tell Narui to look after Astrid for me."
Astrid's eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. "Hey, I haven't even agreed to that yet!" she exclaimed, turning to Yusha, her voice filled with surprise.
"Come on, we've talked about this, and you know you want to go," Yusha replied, her tone softer now, almost persuasive.
Astrid hesitated, her thoughts swirling, but she couldn't argue with Yusha, so she just leaned back in her chair, her eyes flicking between the two as she continued to listen.
Eldric turned his attention to Astrid, a slight frown betraying his suspicion. "Got it… but why? You don't even have to worry about expenses or anything like that."
"Ha! Since when is that any of your business?" Yusha retorted, her tone a mix of mockery and irritation. "Just pass the message to Narui."
Eldric leaned forward, his eyes glinting with a teasing smile. "Oh, I love this cocky side of you," he said, his voice dripping with charm that seemed to test Yusha's patience.
She rolled her eyes, but a faint blush colored her cheeks, betraying her facade of indifference. "Fine, but you know Narui. She'd never agree to play babysitter," Eldric replied, leaning back again, his tea forgotten on the table.
"I'll write a runic message tomorrow. When you head back, take it to her," Yusha said, her tone now more serious.
Eldric raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Why not use a device to send the message? Or even the report?"
"Goddamn it!" Yusha snapped, her voice rising with frustration. "You know messages can be intercepted!"
Eldric tilted his head, his smile unwavering. "But is a request like that really so secret? What's the big deal?"
Yusha clenched her teeth, her anger evident in the way her shoulders tensed. Astrid, sensing the growing tension and realizing the conversation revolved around things she barely understood, decided to step away. "Well, I'm heading back to my room. You two sort this out. Good night," she said, standing with her cup still in hand, the warmth of the tea contrasting with the chill settling in her chest.
"Good night, Astrid," Yusha replied, her expression softening as she watched the young girl walk away.
As soon as Astrid disappeared down the hallway, Eldric stepped closer to Yusha, his eyes locking onto hers with a new intensity. "I'll deliver the message, don't worry," he said, his voice lower now. "But there's something more important here." He paused, the air between them charged. "It's been a while since we've had a moment to ourselves, Yusha. Maybe it's time to change that."
Yusha looked away, discomfort evident in the way her fingers tightened around the edge of her cup. Why does he always do this? she thought, feeling old urges bubbling up, hard to suppress. "Eldric, this isn't the time. Astrid's just a few feet away, and we need to keep things professional," she said, her voice firm but trembling slightly.
Eldric set his cup on the table and stood, closing the distance between them. With a gentle motion, he cupped her chin, tilting her face to meet his gaze. "We're professional, sure. But we're also human, Yusha. And I know you miss this—your body doesn't lie."
She took a deep breath, the warmth of his touch against her skin breaking through her defenses. "Eldric… you're a bastard," she began, but her words faltered as her body, driven by an all-too-familiar impulse, pressed against him. Their lips met in an intense kiss, charged with pent-up desire.
Eldric matched her urgency, his hands finding her waist. When they finally pulled apart, both breathless, the air felt heavier, thick with lust. Yusha knew she'd lost control, Her body burning with an energy she couldn't hold back. "Just tonight," she murmured, her voice hoarse, a mix of desire and resignation. "And don't expect me to go easy on you."
Eldric grinned, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Yusha pulled him closer, leading him toward the bedroom with determined steps, the crackle of the fireplace fading behind them.
While Yusha and Eldric disappeared down the hallway, Astrid lay awake in her room, staring at the dark ceiling beams. The silence of the house was broken only by the howling wind rattling the window, gently swaying the heavy curtain. Eldric… she thought, his image—blond hair streaked with gray, that teasing smile—flashing in her mind. A sudden warmth bloomed in her chest, spreading to her cheeks. He seems like a nice guy… and pretty good-looking too…
For a moment, her imagination betrayed her, blending his image with the erotic scenes she'd glimpsed, picturing Eldric shirtless, his strong arms wrapping around her. The flush on her face deepened, hot and uncomfortable. She shook her head quickly, trying to banish the thoughts. Maybe he's not as bad as Yusha said… Her eyes drifted to the window, where the dark curtain swayed gently in the cold mountain breeze.
Memories of the strange dream she'd had during meditation returned, more vivid now. Beyond the colossal wall that haunted her, there was a figure—a presence that radiated a terror deeper than the eyes in the fog earlier. Who was that person? she wondered, raising her hand as if she could touch the distant window. Maybe, somehow, it's all connected. Ever since I started using magic, these visions I never had before began appearing. Her thoughts hardened, But… that was… Her determination grew. Yusha's right. As strange as it is, something tells me I need to chase this… to find out who I am. Her fist clenched with resolve.
Suddenly, an odd sound cut through the silence—muffled creaks mixed with moans, nearly drowned out by the wind. A flush of heat surged through Astrid's body, a mix of jealousy and excitement that made her blush even more. Of course… it's obvious she'd do that, she thought, curling up in bed. Yusha wouldn't have isolated herself in this place without a reason. Desperate to block out the sounds, she pulled the pillow over her head, the rough fabric brushing her cheeks. Without realizing it, exhaustion overtook her, and Astrid slipped into sleep.
The next morning, pale sunlight filtered through the curtain's gaps, casting streaks of light across Astrid's face. She woke disoriented, the previous night's events swirling in her mind like a distant dream. Rubbing her eyes, she left her room and headed downstairs. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of burnt firewood from the fireplace. Yusha stood by the table, setting out a tray of bread and fruit, her face lit with a radiant, almost infectious smile. Eldric, seated at the table, looked like a shadow of himself—deep circles marked his eyes, and his hand trembled as he tried to bring a cup to his lips.
"Morning, Astrid! Sleep well?" Yusha called, pulling out a chair with enthusiasm. "Come sit, I'm making some killer coffee for us."
Astrid approached slowly, still rubbing one eye, and sat down. Her gaze fell on Eldric, whose exhausted expression was almost comical. "Is he okay?" she asked, nodding slightly toward him, her voice tinged with suspicion.
"Haha, he's fine, totally fine!" Yusha replied, her smile unwavering. "He's just not used to the cold out here." She served a hearty plate for Astrid and another for Eldric, the warm bread giving off an aroma that made Astrid's stomach rumble. "Hope you like it," she said, still beaming.
Astrid grabbed a piece of bread, eyeing the plate cautiously before starting to eat. Eldric, with visible effort, did the same, each bite seeming to drain a bit more of his energy. Yusha, oblivious to his exhaustion, continued, "So, Eldric, I finished writing the rune for Narui. Make sure you take it when you leave."
Eldric, visibly worn out, responded with difficulty, "Ah, ah… y-yeah, got it…"
Yusha brought a finger to her lips, her expression shifting to something almost concerned but with a teasing edge. "You look exhausted, Eldric. You can stay another night if you want."
Eldric straightened in his chair as if he'd been shocked, swallowing his food with desperate speed. "Haha! N-no need, my friend!" he exclaimed, mouth full, forcing a smile. "I-I'm fine!"
This naughty elf sucked the life out of him—what the hell is she, a succubus? Astrid thought, her eyes narrowing as she watched the scene, a mix of amusement and curiosity stirring within her.
She swallowed a bite of bread and, wiping her mouth, asked, "So, when do I go?" Her voice cut through the air, drawing the attention of both Yusha and Eldric, who raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Yusha tilted her head, her smile softening. "I think after Narui sees the rune… about five days or so. What do you think, Eldric?"
He cleared his throat, still battling his fatigue. "Well… depending on the travel time to get here, that sounds about right," he replied.
Astrid nodded. "Got it. So we can keep training until then, right, Yusha?"
"Well, I've already taught you everything I know, but it's a good idea to keep practicing in the meantime," Yusha said with a nod.
Eldric listened quietly, his brow furrowing for a moment as if something in the conversation intrigued him. His eyes turned to Astrid, a spark of interest hidden behind a polite smile. He stood slowly. "Well, I think it's time to get ready to head out," he said, slipping into the suit with cables that connected him to the Meka. "I'll check the machine and see if I can leave soon."
Yusha, still wearing that satisfied smile, nodded. "Alright. Don't forget to deliver the message. To Narui only, got it?" she warned again, handing him the rune, a small glowing artifact.
Eldric took the rune, raising an eyebrow as he examined it briefly before tucking it carefully into his pocket. "You got it, Yusha." Then he turned to Astrid, his smile warming. "Astrid, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope we'll see each other again soon."
Astrid gave a shy nod, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks as she looked down at her plate. Why does he keep looking at me like that? she thought, her heart racing for a moment before she focused on her food.
Eldric's smile widened at her nod, his blue eyes glinting briefly before he turned toward the door. He walked to the Meka and reached for a cable from the cockpit, ready to connect it to his waist, but paused, frowning as he noticed the suit's belt was missing. His fingers fumbled over the empty space.
Yusha appeared at his side, silent as a shadow, and placed a hand on his shoulder. She leaned in, whispering something in his ear, her voice too low for Astrid to catch. Astrid, standing a few feet away, watched the scene with a mix of surprise and discomfort. Wasn't she all annoyed with him yesterday? What's with all this closeness? she thought, her heart speeding up. Yusha's boldness and intimacy caught her off guard.
"Seems I forgot my belt in the bedroom," Eldric said, casting a suggestive glance at Yusha's hand on his shoulder, his smile laden with intent.
Yusha grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes, as if she'd orchestrated the moment. "Oh, it's not here?" she asked, her tone falsely innocent as she stepped closer, pressing herself against Eldric's back. Her hands slid down his front, her fingers sliding lower, brushing dangerously close, making Eldric's eyes widen in surprise at her boldness in front of Astrid.
"Let's go to the bedroom. I'll help you look for it," Yusha said, her tone leaving no doubt what she meant.
Astrid, her cheeks burning, shook her head. Who are they trying to fool with this little act? she thought, trying to make sense of the scene. She stood from the chair, the wood creaking under her movement, and muttered to herself, "Damn horny old hag…" as she headed toward the bathroom.
As soon as Astrid was out of sight, Yusha, with a predatory grin, grabbed Eldric's arm, dragging him back to the bedroom. Minutes later, the sound of muffled moans began to echo, louder than before. Astrid, in the bathroom, felt an involuntary flush of excitement but shook her head, trying to ignore it. She grabbed the toothbrush from the cabinet and started brushing her teeth, the sounds still invading her ears.
While brushing, she stared at her reflection in the mirror, fixing her hair with simple movements to distract herself.
When she finished, she returned to the living room and walked to the front door. The air outside was crisp, the snow melting under the morning sun, revealing patches of damp grass. Astrid stepped out, the warmth of the sunlight caressing her face, contrasting with the chilly breeze brushing her skin. She let out a satisfied sigh, her shoulders relaxing. But Yusha's moans, though muffled by the distance, still reached her, sparking a pang of frustration. "Ugh! Damn old woman, doesn't she have any respect for others?" she shouted, her voice echoing in the morning's stillness.
Fueled by irritation, Astrid took flight, the cold air enveloping her as she soared above the clouds. From up there, the sunrise was a spectacle—snowy peaks pierced through dense clouds, bathed in golden light that seemed to set the horizon ablaze. Damn… I know Yusha has that weird condition, but… this is the first time I've seen her like this, Astrid reflected, the image of Yusha's mischievous smile and provocative gestures flashing in her mind.
Her thoughts drifted to a memory from months ago, when Yusha had explained the reason for all the erotic content scattered around the house. Astrid was sitting at the kitchen table, her feet propped on another chair, while Yusha washed dishes with her back turned. "So this condition of yours makes you… want to look at that stuff all the time?" Astrid asked, raising an eyebrow, her voice laced with curiosity.
Yusha paused, the sound of scrubbing dishes stopping. "Something like that," she replied, still facing away, her voice calm but with a slight tremor. "When I get some kind of trigger, what would be normal arousal for most people… it hits me differently." She paused, as if choosing her words carefully. "It's like something takes over my body. It's not bad, but it's a desire I can barely control."
"Hmm…" Astrid murmured, resting her chin on her hand, her elbow planted on the table. "If you've got that kind of thing, why not live somewhere with more people? Wouldn't it be better to satisfy that urge with real people instead of videos and toys?" she asked, her tone half-challenging, half-naive.
Yusha sighed, the dishcloth brushing her hands as she dried her fingers. "It's not that simple. I don't control it. So, I can't always account for my actions, you know?" she said, her elven ears reddening for a moment. "One of the reasons I isolated myself out here was to avoid… accidents."
"Accidents, huh?" Astrid repeated, her tone dripping with suspicion, a teasing smile curling her lips. "So, I'm living with a sex-crazed succubus who might pounce on me at any moment? Scary…"
Yusha, still facing away, fell silent. Then she turned, placing her hands on the table and leaning in until her face was dangerously close to Astrid's. "Yup, you are," she said, a mischievous glint sparkling in her eyes.
Caught off guard by the closeness, Astrid lost her balance and fell off the chair, the thud against the wooden floor followed by Yusha's even louder laughter.
Her thoughts snapped back to the present, the cold wind tousling her hair as she hovered above the clouds. I've never seen anyone else here besides Yusha since I woke up, she thought, her eyes fixed on the golden horizon. So… I guess it's okay for her to let loose a little. The view mesmerized her, her chest swelling with a sense of freedom that, for a moment, drowned out all other thoughts. It's so beautiful… she thought, her eyes wide, the wind ruffling her hair.
Meanwhile, inside the bedroom, the heat between Yusha and Eldric was almost palpable. Panting, Eldric managed to speak between intense movements, "Uff… is it okay to do this so close to the kid? Weren't you the one who said… we needed to be professional?"
Yusha, equally breathless, replied between moans, "N-No, it's not okay! But at least… she… she's not some naive little kid." Her voice trembled, but there was conviction in it.
Eldric paused for a moment, his eyes glinting with renewed interest. He'd noticed Astrid's half-elf ears—she had to be at least his age. If she's not a kid… that makes this even more perfect, he thought, a sly smile curling his lips. Not that I ever cared about details like that. Quickening his movements, he asked, his voice husky, "So… why not bring her in to join us?"
Yusha clenched her teeth, the desire consuming her battling against her resolve. She knew Eldric's fetishes, and though part of her felt tempted, she had resisted corrupting Astrid all this time. "N-no, not her," she replied, her voice breathless, almost a whisper. "She… even though she's an adult, she's too young for this."
Eldric sighed, frustration etched on his face, but the glint in his eyes revealed a growing interest in Astrid. Yusha, despite her refusal, felt a latent curiosity, a spark she struggled to keep dimmed, her heart torn between protecting Astrid and her own desires.
Outside, Astrid floated among the clouds, the icy wind caressing her face and calming her thoughts. She tried to focus on the vast whiteness below, but a sense of emptiness tugged at her—like a part of herself was lost, an echo of something she couldn't name. Curiously, Eldric's image surfaced in her mind. Why him? she wondered, frowning. Does he have something to do with my past? Or is it just because he's the first man I've seen?
The confusion made her ponder, her heart wavering between curiosity and uncertainty. Overthinking won't help, she concluded, shaking her head. The sun was higher now, its light reflecting off the snow like a mirror. Deciding to return, she descended gently, her feet touching the melting snow with a soft crunch in front of the house. Eldric's Meka was still there, but silence reigned—the sounds from the room had ceased. Finally, she thought, letting out a relieved sigh.
Upon entering the living room, she found Eldric alone, already dressed, his cable suit fitted to his body. He was typing on a device attached to his arm, the screen glowing with a greenish hue. His face seemed more composed, but the dark circles betrayed the intense night. "Astrid, you're back," he said, lifting his eyes with a smile that seemed more genuine, yet still laced with charm. "Yusha's finishing her bath. I'm heading out soon."
"Sure. Safe travels," Astrid replied, her voice neutral but with a slight discomfort under his piercing gaze.
Yusha appeared moments later, her damp hair clinging to her neck, the fresh scent of soap mingling with the cold air. Her expression was serious, but a trace of satisfaction gleamed in her eyes. She approached Astrid, who was watching Eldric prepare. "Don't forget, only for Narui," Yusha said, pointing at him, her tone firm to emphasize the message's importance.
"You got it," Eldric replied, casting one last meaningful look at Astrid, his blue eyes shining with a mix of charm and interest. He sealed the Meka's cockpit, the metallic click echoing before the machine began to move, its heavy steps crushing the snow with a rhythmic crunch until it vanished into the chilly breeze.
Astrid lingered at the door. He's weird… but there's something about him, she thought, frowning, a mix of relief and curiosity bubbling in her chest. When the Meka disappeared into the snow, Yusha turned to her, her damp hair swaying as she stretched her arms overhead. "Well, now that he's gone, how about some activities? After we clean the house, we could go for a little walk. What do you think?" she asked, her smile light but with a mischievous glint.
Astrid sighed, narrowing her eyes and glaring at Yusha with an expression of indignation. "Seriously? Couldn't you at least say 'Astrid, go play outside'? That would've been less offensive than having to listen to you moaning like like crazy," she shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Yusha burst into loud laughter, the sound filling the room like cheerful thunder. "Haha, I don't know why you're so pissed. I could smell your arousal all the way from the bedroom," she teased, leaning forward with a provocative smile. "Besides, you're not the type of 'little girl who plays outside.' After all the smut you've read and watched, you must have decades of theoretical content in that perverted little head of yours." She reached out, ruffling Astrid's hair, who turned red as a tomato.
"What the hell kind of theoretical content, you horny old hag!" Astrid exclaimed, swatting Yusha's hand away with a slap, which only made Yusha laugh even harder, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
With a softer expression, Yusha straightened up, her tone turning casual but firm. "Alright, in a few days, someone will probably come get you, so let's get ready."
"Okay… but prepare what?" Astrid asked, her voice tinged with confusion and a hint of suspicion, as she adjusted her light hair, tousled by the cold wind, the strands sticking to her flushed cheeks.
Yusha tilted her head, a light smile returning to her lips. "You learned to control your mana yesterday. As impressive as it is to use magic on the same day you mastered the control, you still need to perfect it so you don't screw up like last time," she said, her tone playful but with a serious undertone.
Astrid gave an awkward chuckle, scratching the back of her neck, her tail swishing restlessly. "Ah, well… that was an accident…" she murmured, looking away, the memory of the mistake still fresh.
"I know it was an accident," Yusha retorted, her tone now more serious, her elven eyes fixed on Astrid's, shining with intensity. "But that 'little mistake' destroyed the fourth largest mountain in the world. It wouldn't be good at all if you repeated something like that in the middle of a city full of people." The warning hung in the air, heavy as the snow outside, but laced with genuine concern that softened the reprimand.
"Err… you're right," Astrid admitted, her face flushing a bit more. She turned to enter the house, the wooden floor creaking under her bare feet, the sound echoing in the still room. Yusha followed, the lingering aroma of coffee mingling with the warm scent of burnt wood that still permeated the space, the fireplace crackling softly in the background.