Chapter 77: Who Invited the Paladin?
"The light array didn't open."
"...No."
"It's already late at night."
"...It is."
"This is different from what you said before, Kobayashi."
"...I'm sorry."
Esdeath's three fatal questions made Kobayashi want to hide from the shame. He recalled how he had confidently told her during the day that the light array would open soon. Yet, the two of them had waited until late at night, and there was still no sign of it opening.
Kobayashi was going crazy.
What was that idiot scumbag thinking? Does he not want to live anymore? If the Prime Minister finds out he used this trick to screw over Esdeath, he'll surely rip his idiot head, which is filled with yellow waste, off and kick it like a ball!
"Pffft-hahaha—"
Esdeath suddenly let out a light laugh, like a blooming white magnolia, the amusement written on her face and overflowing with joy.
It was the first time he had ever seen her with such a smile.
"Sorry, sorry. I just suddenly laughed."
Seeing the puzzled look in his eyes, Esdeath explained, "You've always been so calm and composed, so confident. It's easy for people to believe in you and rely on you without realizing it. But seeing you so flustered and frantic because something exceeded your predictions... for some reason, it just made me laugh."
She added, "If I made you feel uncomfortable, I apologize."
"Hehehe, as long as you're happy."
What could he say?
Perhaps this was "gap moe." Just like how the domineering Esdeath also had a girlish side, it gave a fresh and novel feeling.
"Alright, what should we do next?"
"Two options. One is to wait. The other is to find a flying-type Danger Beast. But before that, we need to explore the island first to prevent any hidden dangers."
"My thoughts exactly."
Esdeath's idea was the same as his.
The island they were on was surrounded by the sea, with no boats or roads. These were the only two ways to leave; there were no others.
Thinking of those slippers that could walk on water, a sharp pain suddenly shot through Kobayashi's heart.
No, I have to buy them when I get back!
"Well then, to conserve our stamina, let's sleep for now," Esdeath suddenly said to him. "We'll sleep together tonight."
"Hmm? Why?"
"The nights on the island are very cold, so we need to huddle together for warmth. Otherwise, it's easy to catch a cold."
Who are you trying to fool?! You're a master of ice, and you're telling me you're afraid of the cold?!
But he was still used as her hugging pillow. What could he do? After all, he didn't have the strength to resist her. He could only obediently let her arrange him in any position she liked.
However, he did get a soft and comfortable flesh pillow out of it, so it wasn't a total loss.
The Next Day
After waking up, the two of them first had coconuts for breakfast, and then began to explore the entire island.
Kobayashi used [Farsight] for a rough look. The island wasn't too large. It was surrounded by the sea on three sides with steep cliffs, and besides the beach where they had first arrived, there were no other landing points.
With their speed, they finished scouting in just half a day.
During this time, Kobayashi continuously used his [Probe] skill to check the surroundings to prevent any sudden dangers. But after making a full circle and returning to the beach, nothing had happened.
"It seems there are no other Danger Beasts."
"I suppose so."
Right now, besides him and Esdeath, there was no other human presence on the island.
They could only activate their predetermined plan: wait for the light array while trying to capture a passing flying Danger Beast.
But both of these methods relied on luck. If they were lucky, they could return immediately. If they were unlucky, they might not be able to go back for ten days or even half a month.
Kobayashi looked at the low number written in the luck column on his adventurer card, pouted, and put it away.
"Can't be helped. Let's just treat it as a vacation."
Esdeath stretched her back and said to him, "I've been working ever since the Jaegers were formed. It would be a waste not to take this opportunity to rest."
"That's all we can do for now."
Kobayashi sighed and said, "Then please enjoy yourself for now, Captain. I'll go and prepare some food and firewood."
Bear Grylls had said that the most important things for survival in the wild are water and food. Fortunately, they were on an island with abundant resources. Some simple preparation should be enough.
"Wait."
Esdeath grabbed his wrist. "We'll do those things together later. For now, let's just enjoy ourselves."
"Ehh—" Kobayashi looked slightly disgusted.
"Don't make that face. Alright, let's have a water fight!" Esdeath said, pulling him as she skipped towards the sea.
From behind, he reminded her, "Your clothes! Take off your outer clothes first!"
After stripping off their outer layers.
Esdeath suddenly said, "You have a nice body. It's quite solid."
"Is that so?" He also looked down at himself.
"Mmm. You look a bit thin on the outside, but you're surprisingly solid with your clothes off."
"It's probably the result of constant training."
Back in the world of Konosuba, he had been about the same as an ordinary person. But ever since he had followed the training plan set by Darkness, his body had become more and more solid. Of course, he was still far from being comparable to that perverted knight.
...Not good. I suddenly miss them a little.
"Take this!"
Esdeath suddenly splashed water in his face and chided him, "To be thinking of other things while we're playing is very rude, you know."
"My apologies for that...!"
Kobayashi returned the favor without courtesy, drenching her hair and upper body. Because it was just her underwear, it became slightly transparent. The hazy beauty made him bow his head slightly.
"I didn't expect you to be so decisive in your actions."
"I know a man who calls himself an advocate for gender equality. He can use a dropkick on a woman without any hesitation... I actually admire him quite a bit."
"Are you saying you'd do the same to me?"
"Even the Captain is no exception."
For some reason, the atmosphere between the two became serious. They stared intently at each other's weak points, their arms hanging down, ready to strike at any moment.
Suddenly!
"Take this! And this! And this!"
"Take this! And this! And this!"
The two of them moved their hands with great speed. The sea in front of them was scooped up, forming a high wave that crashed towards the other. But after colliding, the waves receded at the same time, making the two of them suffer the consequences of their own actions. The powerful waves knocked them over, and they lay on their backs on the sand.
They panted slightly.
"As I thought, you're different from the others, Kobayashi."
"What?"
"Those guys all treat me as a general. They're afraid of me, they revere me. Only you are different from them. You've been like this since the first time we met. Perhaps that's also part of the reason I'm so interested in you?"
What is this? Is this the "Wow, you're not like those other coquettish bitches out there, you've successfully caught my attention" line from a domineering CEO?
But if I think about it carefully, it seems... that's exactly it?
Kobayashi got up and retorted, "By the way, Captain, are you reminding me that I have no respect for my superiors?"
"No. It's just that you've sparked a desire in me to conquer you."
Esdeath also propped up her upper body.
Perhaps the wave just now was too big, or perhaps it was a coincidence, but Esdeath's top had been washed away!
Even though he had seen it many times, Kobayashi couldn't help but stare with wide eyes.
However—
The noon sun shone straight down.
Kobayashi couldn't help but roar, "Who invited the Paladin?! Kick him immediately!"
(End of Chapter)