Chapter 282: Is This a Date? (Celestine’s Arc) ⑥
“Well, this was to be expected. I’m glad we managed to subdue it without destruction.”
Looking down at the fallen, silent golem, Rest let out a small sigh. Using Life Search initially revealed that the golem emitted only a faint trace of magical power. It was likely that years of neglect had drained its energy.
“If it had been in perfect condition, we might have had no choice but to destroy it…”
A golem worth ten thousand large gold coins—an amount that could easily reach a hundred million yen—being destroyed was a chilling thought. Even if it didn’t affect his own finances, Rest would prefer to avoid such a scenario.
“Are you alright, Rest-san?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
Confirming that the battle was over, Celestine stepped forward.
“It seems it was indeed a highly advanced combat golem. But why would such a thing be stored in the basement?”
“That’s something we’ll find out by investigating… Light Sphere!”
He conjured multiple spheres of light, illuminating the spacious room. As the darkness receded, an astonishing sight was revealed.
“Wha…!”
“This is…!”
Rest and Celestine gasped in unison. What lay within the room was an array of Boys’ Love illustrations. The walls were adorned with paintings depicting men entwined in various intimate scenarios. On the table were similar-themed novels and what appeared to be self-published manga. There were even plaster statues of several naked men in various poses of entanglement.
“Is this what the combat golem was guarding…?!”
Ten thousand large gold coins. Was a golem worth a hundred million yen really installed for something like this? It was a lavish use of resources that made Rest want to scoff.
(Now that I think about it… didn’t I see similar illustrations at the seaside villa?)
Could it be… No, it was almost certain that Shoko Sanada was a fujoshi. This mansion displayed landscape paintings of nostalgic scenes above ground, while the hidden basement housed her collection of Boys’ Love items.
“What a futile endeavor… Well, I suppose hobbies are free to pursue…”
Hobbies are indeed a personal choice. Whether it’s Boys’ Love or any other interest, one should enjoy it freely. However, for Rest, who had been swept up in this unexpected situation, a profound sense of exhaustion washed over him. He felt utterly bewildered by what he had just witnessed.
“Well, it’s fine… There doesn’t seem to be anything else here, so let’s head back quickly, Celestine.”
“…………”
“Celestine?”
Rest called out, but Celestine did not respond. Perhaps she was in shock from the unexpected revelations brought on by the Boys’ Love items.
“…I see, so there are such things as well.”
Upon closer inspection, Celestine seemed to be deep in thought.
“Rather than just simple relationships between men of the same generation, there are also those with significant age differences… like a young man and an older man who could be his father. And by donning knight uniforms or tying their professions to the scenarios, it adds specificity and stirs the viewer’s imagination… Queen Dowager, what profound foresight you possess.”
“…………”
What was going on? While they were both surprised by the unexpected situation, Celestine seemed to be accepting it in a way Rest did not anticipate.
(Could it be… that the illustrations at the villa awakened something in her…?)
“Celestine?”
“Oh, I apologize. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”
“I-I see…”
“I’m sorry for dragging you into this troublesome matter today. I will make it up to you later.”
Thus, the date (or whatever it was) with Celestine came to a close. Ultimately, it turned into a rather highbrow outing centered around art appreciation, leaving Rest with a lingering sense of mystery in his heart.