The sky remained shrouded in clouds. Raindrops fell from above and drummed on the tent. Lightning flickered in the clouds, and the downpour only grew fiercer.
Inside the tent.
A bright oil lamp lit the cramped space. The chill creeping in outside did nothing to disturb the warmth within.
"..."
Staring at the carpet dotted with water, Levy lay quietly in Roland's arms, her vacant eyes not yet focused.
"Did the original... mean that?"
She raised an arm to cover her eyes and drew a deep breath.
Reason and thought were cast aside. There was nothing left to think about...
"That's about enough, right?"
Roland lowered his head to her ear and asked in his usual gentle tone.
With them so close, he could clearly catch the girl's scent, tinged with a trace of sweat.
It wasn't unpleasant. It was even enticing.
"...Mm."
Hearing him, Levy slowly came back to herself and gave a small nod.
If they kept going like this, there would be no mission tomorrow; they might not even make it out of the tent.
"A bit of a pity. Little Levy looked so cute like that."
Roland brushed the hair stuck to her forehead aside. Recalling how she'd looked moments ago, a pleased smile tugged at his lips.
"..."
Levy said nothing, lowering her head as a faint blush rose.
If he hadn't insisted on trying it, she wouldn't be this limp now.
"How does it feel?"
As her taut body slowly relaxed, Roland's voice came again.
"How am I supposed to answer a question like that?!"
"Good... that kind of feeling."
Hesitating, Levy turned her head aside and stammered it out.
Hearing the shy admission at his ear, Roland chuckled and ruffled her hair.
"Since the experience was good, let's get some rest. It's late anyway."
"Mm."
Levy nodded quickly, then paused, her gaze drifting to the carpet soaked with droplets.
The wet patch wasn't large. If it were just one person, you could lie a little to the side without much trouble.
But there were two in the tent. They could still sleep, but one of them would have to lie on the damp spot.
"Don't worry. I came prepared with a spare."
Noticing her look, Roland calmly took a new blanket from his pack and replaced the wet one.
At the same time he pulled the tent flap open a little to let the stuffy air out.
The cool night breeze slipped through the gap and brushed her skin. Levy instinctively clung tighter to Roland, burying her head against his chest.
Like a small, soft pillow, she was held gently in his arms.
"Good night, Miss Levy."
"..."
———
Morning.
The sky was still veiled in pale gray clouds with no sign of clearing.
After ordering the Shadow Battalion to tidy the camp, Roland turned toward the blue-haired girl sitting in a chair sipping coffee.
As for last night, Levy behaved as if she had amnesia and never brought it up.
"Because she's too shy..."
He closed the book in his hand and murmured, thoughtful.
It was worth mentioning that the book in his hand was last night's reward, a volume titled "Levy User Manual."
It recorded the girl's likes and dislikes, even listing her height, weight, and measurements.
What Roland found most useful was the data on Levy's body, such as the sensitivity of each spot.
In a way, the book was quite handy.
Once he'd memorized the gist, he burned it to ash without a qualm.
He had seen enough of that kind of book; there was no need to let it exist in the world.
"Were you just burning something?"
At some point Levy had come closer and couldn't help asking.
"Nothing important. Just useless scraps of paper."
Roland shook his head.
Best not to let the owner know about a manual like that.
Watching the page crumble to ash between his left index finger and thumb, Levy couldn't help blinking, her cheeks tinged red.
She remembered it clearly. After all, last night it had been only his left hand...
"Ahem. I should head for the next town along the route!"
She coughed twice to cover her secret and went on.
According to today's plan, they'd hire a carriage in the next town, hasten straight to Oak City, finish the job, then take their time enjoying the trip.
Commissions came with deadlines.
"Come on, let's go!"
Levy took Roland by the hand and set off at a brisk pace to lead the way. Judging from the smile at her lips, she was in good spirits.
———
Ozulke City.
As soon as they stepped into town, a fine needle-like drizzle started falling again.
"What is going on? Why has it been raining for two days straight?"
Levy puffed out her cheeks at the leaden sky and couldn't help grumbling.
"I thought you liked rainy days."
"That's for reading. When you're out on a job, who likes rain?"
"Actually, I have a way to make it clear up."
Roland raised his palm toward the clouds. Magic surged within him and quickly gathered into a blazing sphere.
The drifting raindrops hissed into vapor at once, proof of its scorching heat.
"?"
Levy stepped back on instinct. The searing heat made a sheen of sweat bloom on her smooth forehead.
"Merciless Sun."
He gently pushed the fireball into the sky. In a matter of seconds the clouds scattered and brilliant sunlight broke through.
In a corner of the same town, a girl with water-blue hair stood frozen under an ornate umbrella, staring up at the sky.
"The rain... has stopped?"
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