Chapter 167: Wrapped in the Morning Air
And so, morning arrived.
The first to awaken inside the tent was Rest.
“…Finally, morning has come.”
Rising from his bed, Rest let out a deep sigh. He had managed to sleep, but the presence, sensations, and warmth of the three girls nearby had made his slumber shallow. His body felt slightly heavy, a sign that he hadn’t enjoyed quality rest.
“…”
As Rest propped himself up on the bed and quietly glanced around, he was greeted by the sight of three blooming flowers. Viola, Primula, and Yuri were all peacefully breathing in their sleep.
“Coo, coo…”
“Zzz… Zzz…”
“Snore, snore…”
The beautiful girls each had their own unique sleeping sounds. All three were clad in delicate negligees, but the disheveled hems revealed their dazzling thighs.
“Zzz…”
Particularly striking was Yuri. Her negligee had hiked up significantly, exposing the southern hemisphere of her two celestial bodies. Though her boyish personality made it hard to notice, Rest was reminded of her femininity in a way that left him momentarily captivated.
“…Huh!?”
Still half-asleep, Rest found himself entranced by Yuri’s exposed skin. It was breathtakingly beautiful. And undeniably ample!
“Not good, not good… Calm down, Rest. Stay composed…!”
Shaking off his thoughts, Rest lightly tapped his head. Remaining here would only prolong the inevitable morning urges. He quietly slipped out of bed, donned his outerwear, and exited the tent.
“…It’s a bit chilly.”
The season was transitioning from summer to autumn. The four seasons in this land were not much different from those in Japan. Naturally, summers were hot and winters cold. It was still early morning, and the sun had yet to rise. The sky was gradually brightening, but the dawn light still lingered behind the mountains.
“‘Magic Hour’…”
Looking up at the sky, where the stars were fading as the brightness increased, Rest murmured to himself. Though the sun had not yet appeared, the sky was subtly illuminated—a time known as the “Magic Hour.”
(Translated literally as “the hour of magic”… Perhaps it suits me well, now that I’ve become a magician…)
Rest gently activated his magic and began to float into the air. He manipulated the wind, ascending to a height of several dozen meters, allowing him to overlook the Pioneers’ Camp below. He could see a few people moving about beneath him. Some were on guard, wary of monsters, while others were busy preparing breakfast, cooking over fires. In the distance, he spotted magical beasts galloping across the plains.
“Whoosh… Haah…”
Standing in the air with his arms spread wide, Rest embraced the crisp morning air and took a deep breath. Although the changing seasons were similar to those in Japan, the air felt entirely different. The unpolluted atmosphere was pure, filling his lungs with refreshing coolness.
“The air is delicious…”
And the scenery was breathtaking. The sun slowly emerged from behind the mountains, casting a golden hue across the plains. It was a sight rarely seen in Japan. Untouched nature stretched before him, evoking grandiose thoughts that perhaps the creation of the world itself began from this very spot.
(But… we’re going to develop this untouched plain and build a town here…)
A twinge of guilt arose within him at the thought of encroaching upon pristine nature. If Rest hadn’t set out to defeat the Magical Beast Sabnock, this plain would have remained in its natural state forever.
“…I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
He felt remorse for altering nature for human convenience. However, by pioneering the Demon Realm, many lives would be improved, and the threat of monsters could be mitigated.
(I’m human, so I inevitably prioritize humanity… but perhaps it would be better to find a way to coexist rather than trample nature.)
At the very least, he must ensure that the environmental issues reminiscent of his previous life on Earth do not arise here. With these thoughts weighing on his mind, Rest slowly descended toward the ground.