Chapter 168 - Standby OK
Having said that much, Philia smiled as if satisfied and quietly closed her eyes.
When I called her name, there was no response, so she seemed to have fallen asleep.
Surely the next time she wakes, she'll have switched to the personality that underwent infantile regression.
"...You've got a comfortable-looking face there."
Being careful not to wake Philia, I cautiously began to run.
Since I'm moving while carrying a sleeping princess, I have to keep vibrations to a minimum. She's a bit too old to be called a princess, but it can't be helped.
Leaping from rooftop to rooftop would be a shortcut, but then the impact of landing would be transmitted directly to Philia.
Having no choice, I decided to run along the ground back to the apartment.
It'll take a little time, but it's unavoidable.
She's a woman who's a handful whether asleep or awake, honestly, I thought with a sigh as I pressed onward.
And so, it was probably when I had run about two kilometers.
[Keisuke Nakamoto has won the battle!]
[Obtained 54 EXP]
[Obtained 1 Skill Point]
"?"
Suddenly, a system message crossed my field of vision.
I reflexively stopped my feet.
...Won a battle.
Judging from the amount of experience points gained, it wasn't a significant enemy.
But it's more than when I repelled yakuza or delinquents. About the amount of a mid-level monster.
I defeated an enemy of such middling strength without even noticing?
When on earth?
Why?
I have no idea, but there must be a reason.
I calmly reflect on what state I'm currently in. Me, holding the sleeping Philia in my arms, running with Sacred Circle and Concealment active.
...Sacred Circle.
A barrier that prevents any potentially threatening existence from entering an area with a radius of about three hundred meters. If by any chance something attempts to approach, it will be repelled with tremendous force.
Was it this?
Did I, without noticing, approach a small animal that Erin had fragmented her soul into, and blow it away with the barrier's effect?
Since experience points are proportional to the strength of the defeated enemy, the value of 54 makes sense with this explanation.
If it was "Erin using a small animal's body and unable to display her original strength," it wouldn't be strange for her combat power to fall around the level of a "moderately tough monster."
"...Hmm."
It's not like I defeated Erin's main body. I just happened to exterminate one of her fragmented soul vessels.
Even so, I feel a response, as if I've glimpsed a ray of hope. I haven't found the answer yet, but I have a premonition that it will be resolved soon.
At times like this, I feel like my mind works better while moving.
I started running again, getting to work on catching the flash of inspiration in my head.
＊ ＊ ＊
When I arrived in front of the apartment, familiar figures were there to greet me.
Angelica and Ayako-chan.
"Father!"
Even though I told them to wait outside, they apparently couldn't wait. Both of them had tears welling in the corners of their eyes and came running up with their hair disheveled.
"Hey, hey, what if Erin is watching from somewhere far away?"
"Fatheeer!"
Seemingly beyond words now, Angelica clung to me while sniffling.
Ayako-chan is a bit more composed, but she grabbed my sleeve and won't let go.
"...Sorry. I worried you."
"Father, you idiot..."
I thought you might have died, Angelica said in a weak voice. I rested Philia's face on my right shoulder and used my freed right hand to stroke Angelica's head.
"I'm a bad father, huh. I'm sorry. But I came back like this, didn't I?"
"...Yeah."
Perhaps finally relieved, Angelica narrowed her eyes happily. Honestly. Just how much does this girl love me?
"Ayako-chan, your eyes are all red too."
"...I imagined something awful. ...That maybe Nakamoto-san had lost. ...I was already going crazy... thinking only about how to curse Erin-san to death..."
"S-sorry."
I understand I'm loved, but that's honestly terrifying.
...As both an apology and self-preservation, I try stroking Ayako-chan's head too.
"...Ah... Nakamoto-san's fingers, feel nice..."
Immediately, her face became enraptured, and an expression appeared that truly looked as if an evil spirit had been exorcised.
But this girl's evil spirits come not from outside, but from her own brain. If I let her become clouded, she'll likely be possessed by terrifying thoughts again, so she requires careful handling in every sense.
"Anyway, let's go inside. I want to rest slowly."
I alternately pat both their heads and urge them into the apartment.
Angelica gave a small nod, and Ayako-chan's cheeks flushed faintly.
"There are things I need to report too. After we rest, shall we have a strategy meeting?"
"...Come to think of it, why are you carrying the High Priest in a princess carry?"
"Huh?"
"...I was wondering about that too. ...Nakamoto-san always used to carry Philia-san like luggage whenever he transported her... but somehow now, haven't your hands become tender, as if cherishing her...?"
Sharp-eyed. Is this what they call women's intuition?
I carefully choose my words so as not to betray my agitation.
"Since we don't know where Erin is hiding, isn't it only natural to handle her carefully so as not to wake a sleeping child? This one cries when she wakes up, right?"
"...Hmm..."
"...Is that so..."
They give me faces of complete disbelief. Why?
Any further excuses feel like they'll only dig my grave deeper, so I briskly enter the apartment building.
I proceed down the corridor and press the elevator button.
A little behind, Angelica and the others catch up.
"You're not using the stairs today?"
"Yeah. I don't want to wake Philia with the vibration of climbing."
"...Father and the High Priest, are you in a Concealment state right now?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Then even if the High Priest started crying, it shouldn't be heard by anyone around, right? Erin-san wouldn't find you either, right? And yet, you're concerned about the High Priest's sleeping comfort?"
"..."
Apparently the elevator car had descended, as a ding sounded.
The doors opened, and we were reflected in the mirror installed on the wall.
Me, holding Philia in a cherishing manner.
Philia, resting her shoulder against me, showing a peaceful sleeping face.
Angelica, with a sharp light dwelling in her eyes.
Ayako-chan, wearing a smiling expression, but with veins standing out on her temples.
"Let's talk about this in detail inside, Father."
[Party Member, Holy Maiden Angelica's Possessiveness has increased by 7000]
"...I want to hear too. How the two of you spent last night."
[Party Member, Ayako Otsuki's Possessiveness has increased by 6666]
I feel my throat constrict and my breathing become shallow.
...Why?
I was just captured by Erin. I haven't done anything to feel guilty about.
Exactly. When I woke up, I was in an unfamiliar room.
I was just desperate to escape. For that purpose, I washed Philia's crotch with my hands and put striped panties on her, massaged her breasts and held her from behind to make her pee, poured fresh cream on her and gave her tea mouth-to-mouth...
"..."
There was nothing but guilt.
I was the very personification of the concept of guilt itself by now.
"Father, you're sweating."
"...I'm carrying something heavy, you know, ha ha ha."
"Hey, Father."
"W-what?"
Angelica placed a finger on her lips and spoke with a bewitching gaze unbecoming of a maiden.
"I'm the type that burns hotter when I feel like something's being taken from me."
"...I know."
[Angelica's Sexual Arousal has reached 70%]
[This is a value at which consensual sexual intercourse is possible. Proceed with execution?]
[If executed, there is a certain probability of conceiving a child]
[The born child will inherit the parents' status tendencies and some skills, and sharing of equipment and items will also be possible]
[Additionally, class transfer to the child will also be possible]
"I'll have you tell me in detail what kind of acts you engaged in with the High Priest once we return to the room."
"I-I didn't do anything. I just used her as a decoy to fight Erin."
"Is that true?"
"It's true."
"...If what you just said was a lie..."
"I-if it was a lie?"
[Party Member, Holy Maiden Angelica's Possessiveness has increased by 9999]
[Angelica's Sexual Arousal has reached 90%]
"...I'll have you do lewd things with me until a baby is made."
[Party Member, Holy Maiden Angelica's ovaries have entered preparation for ovum release]
[If sexual intercourse is performed within 36 hours, the probability of pregnancy is 99%]