Chapter 274: A Date (Yuri’s Perspective)③
Rest lay back on the hill, using Yuri’s lap as a pillow. Before him stretched a vast, blue sky, dotted with clouds of various shapes drifting lazily. The barrier kept the chill of the outside world at bay, allowing a gentle breeze to carry the scent of greenery.
“Fuu…”
“How is it, Rest?”
“…It feels nice.”
“Why are you using polite language?”
“Well… for some reason…”
It was indeed a splendid pillow. Soft yet firm, it provided an excellent resting place. On top of that, a faint floral scent wafted from Yuri’s body, adding to the comfort.
(Is it the smell of soap, perhaps, rather than perfume…?)
“…………”
“Are you going to sleep, Rest?”
“……Yeah… I think I will…”
Unlike the earlier princess carry, this time he felt he could truly drift off to sleep. Rest surrendered himself to the seductive pull of slumber, letting his heavy eyelids fall shut. His consciousness began to fade away, as if sinking to the depths of the sea. It felt as though he were lying on a fluffy cloud, and he was certain he could enjoy a peaceful sleep like this.
“……Suu… Suu…”
A few minutes later, Rest began to breathe softly in his tranquil slumber. On the third day of their date, while outings with Viola and Primula had been enjoyable, he must have been feeling mentally fatigued. It seemed he had accumulated quite a bit of exhaustion, as he sank deeper into a profound sleep.
“GROOOOAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
“GISHAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
“Wha—?!”
However, his peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted. A roar, reminiscent of a monster’s cry, echoed through the air, jolting him awake.
“W-What was that?!”
Rest shouted, springing up to a sitting position.
“Oh, Rest. You’ve woken up.”
“Yuri… what just happened?!”
“Well, that thing… it’s making quite the racket.”
“That thing… is it a monster?”
Peering down from the hill, Rest saw two monsters engaged in fierce combat.
“A Habu and a Mongoose…?”
The two battling creatures were a massive snake and a furry four-legged beast. Both were the size of elephants, clashing violently in a brutal struggle.
“They suddenly appeared and started fighting. They’re unfamiliar monsters, aren’t they?”
“Perhaps they’ve come flowing in from the Subnock Plain…”
He recalled hearing that some monsters had escaped into the surrounding areas due to the ongoing development of the Subnock Plain.
“Fortunately, it seems there hasn’t been any major damage so far…”
“Still, having such large monsters near the Royal Capital is concerning.”
Rest nodded in agreement with Yuri’s words.
“It would be best to eliminate them if we can. Even if it’s indirect, it’s unsettling to think that the development of the plain could lead to casualties.”
“Alright, then we should do this. Um… Fisherman’s Profit?”
“More like ‘Fisherman’s Profit,’ I think.”
Since the monsters were fighting each other, they could simply wait and see which one would fall. It was a cowardly tactic, but they decided to take down the weakened victor.
“GROOOOAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
“GISHAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
“Still, it seems it will take a bit longer for a resolution to come…”
“Then let’s have a snack while we wait!”
Yuri rummaged through her bag and pulled out a cloth-wrapped bundle.
“I baked some meat pies! They might be a little burnt, but I guarantee the taste!”
“Ah, wait… meat pies…!”
“GROO?”
“GISH?”
As if reacting to the smell of meat, the two monsters paused their battle. They turned their gaze toward the hill, locking eyes with Rest.
“Ugh…”
“GROOOOAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
“GISHAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
The two monsters had shifted their target. It seemed they had now set their sights on Rest and Yuri, charging up the hill with ferocity. Perhaps they had forgotten their previous conflict upon finding a common enemy.
“Ah, no! This is bad!”
“I can’t believe this is happening!”
Rest was aware that he was a troublemaker, but it seemed Yuri was even more so. The two of them found themselves in an unexpected battle against the two massive monsters.