Chapter 3: The Show must go on

Where as in Orario, Hermes was panicking over these missing maps,a certain golem continued to test two groups of adventurers in the strange treasure cave.

You're progressing through the ordeals adventurers and you're not afraid of unexpected situations! Therefore, let's continue !

The stone construct raised his hand again, and his finger began to look like the very embodiment of the Last Judgment.

You! Beautiful foxgirl with golden fur! Come!

Not quite reassured about her fate, Haruhime gulped and stepped forward. She looked for a little encouragement, but the only two people who could have reassured her weren't really available. Bell still had the same thousand-yard stare. As for Mikoto, she was too busy blushing and trying to recover from the flirtation she was subjected to moments earlier. Bravery in battle, no problem, but the girl had not yet acquired the Seduction Resistance skill.

Once on the stone platform, the golem raised an arm, a small glow appeared briefly on his stone hand and an object materialized, floating in front of the foxgirl.

Do you know how to use this object, adventurer?

Uh ... Y-yes, I do!

The object in question being a simple... earpick. Very pleasant when used by a soft-handed person with skilled fingers.

Perfect, then you're going to use it on... You! You with the golden hair and eyes, come forth!

With his usual calm, Aiz climbed onto the platform and approached Haruhime.

Now this is perfect! Blondes, sticking together! Too bad I don't have a jok... philosophical reflection on blondes suited for this situation!

Ignoring the strange and enigmatic words of the guardian, the sword princess spoke in her usual phlegmatic tone.

Hmm? What should I do ?

Ho!

The fox took her time to sit seiza-style and patted her thighs, gesturing to the other blonde.

Lie on your side and put your head here.

It suddenly brought back memories to Aiz, when she herself offer lap pillow to Bell Cranel, first in the Dungeon, on Riveria's advice and then on the wall, during their training, after having knocked him out too many times. Very pleasant memories indeed. But even though she had done it many times, this would be the first time she would found herself in the opposite situation. So Aiz lay down and rested her head on Haruhime's thighs. With a delicate hand, the former courtesan freed the locks of blond hair and with the infinite delicacy that characterized her, began to work.

For the assembly attending the show, this ordeal seemed very sweet after the two previous wacky scenes. Caught in the game, Haruhime quickly indulged in this rather calm and soothing activity. While working with one hand, she began to gently stroke Aiz's hair, while humming lightly.

Very quickly, the other blonde succumbed to the sweetness of the blond fox and began to relax, before melting almost completely. After such a long day, what Haruhime was doing to her right now was relaxing her to a point that she did not think was possible. Those of her Familia, who knew her the most, were astonished to see her quickly give a big, expressive smile, bordering on blissful, as she seemed to soften more and more in the fox girl's lap.

Why, this was quite fun to watch, adventurers! In this brutal world, how nice it is to behold such sweetness!

Hmm? Are you done already? said Ais, who seemed almost disappointed that it was over so soon. But they had to keep going, so the two women got up and returned to their groups. Strangely, these two felt rather relaxed by their ordeal.

But the golem was not going to stop there and no one knew what else he could have in store for them. Many of those present were starting to think that taking on a monster rex in a solo fight might be less complicated than going through all of this.

For the next trial! I'll ask for the two prums among you! Come closer!

Fate, represented by the golem's hand, had therefore designated Finn and Lili for its next wacky scheme. Still, it was a bit awkward, after the Braver had attempted to secure the supporter's hand, as part of his plan to restore his species to glory. The project had been interrupted by Bell, who had come to rescue his friend, without really knowing why. And since Finn hadn't found a mate so far, there was a little bit of awkwardness between them.

Well, here's your test! Young girl, take this!

Once again, he used his strange magic to make an object appear directly in front of Lili. And this time it was a beautiful... apron, pink, perfectly feminine with cute little tassels and everything. As the prum gazed at this with her eyes wide open, the guardian's heavy voice rang out again.

A bit of role play. Young woman, you are going to play the role of the wife who greets her husband in the evening at home after a hard day of adventure!

Haaaaa! It makes no sense ! And this concept of a wife waiting at home while her husband is working hard is very sexist, I would point out!

WELL DO YOU WANT YOUR BLODDY TREASURE OR NOT! The golem boomed once more. He was right, though : their familia needed this cash flow and if all it required was this stupid comedy, so be it.

The supporter therefore discarded her big backpack and her usual beige coat before putting on the apron and knotting it. At least that crazy guardian hadn't demanded that she be naked underneath.

Come on Liliruka Arde! Just imagine it's Master Bell! Just imagine it's Master Bell! Just imagine it's Master Bell!

Good evening my love! Do you want your dinner? Take a bath ? Or ... do you want me?

All was here, the soft, teasing and slightly provocative voice, the perfect movement that ended in a skilfully calculated pose, accompanied by a small smile to unleash her full cuteness potential. Not so many people could have resisted that. And Finn certainly was not one of them. The Braver approached her and dropped to one knee, striking a true Prince Charming pose in front of his bride.

Ha! Miss Arde, I definitely knew you were the perfect fit, I really hope one day you will reconsider my request.

She blushed up to her ears, while in the audience a certain amazoness was fuming with rage. The latter put a hand on her sister's shoulder and spoke in her enraged voice.

TIO-NAAAAAAA! First, remind me to buy the same apron! And then remind me to kill that bitch at the first opportunity. Accidents can happen in the dungeon ...

The Amazoness gone berserk was promptly hit on the head by Riveria's scepter, which immediately made her come to her senses.

Calm down ! This is all just comedy.

While "mama" was calming down her somewhat agitated daughter, on the other side, a certain fox watched the scene thoughtfully, wondering if Bell would like her to give him such a welcome every once in a while. Either way, the two adventurers returned to their respective groups, having experienced a particularly awkward moment, depending on the point of view.

But it was far from over and the ruthless guardian had already chosen who would be his next victims.

You! The two amazoness! You look full of energy! That's good, very good! Come closer, for it's your turn !

Tiona and Tione then stepped onto the platform, one still annoyed and the other amused by all the delusions going on right now, after all. Once again, the guardian used his strange magic and made a crystal appear between the two young women.

This Ancient Artifact contains forgotten knowledge! Put your hands on it and it will pass this knowledge on to your minds! Repeat the sacred dance and you will have passed the test!

Curious, but not that eager, the two sisters put their hands on the object and the next moment they were red as beets.

What was that ?

I am definitely NOT doing this!

Ho! So you are withdrawing, then? After everything your companions have endured?

Once again, that filthy guardian was hitting right where it hurt. Tione knew that if she stepped back now, she would will be viewed by Finn for the coward who had ruined everything and that she couldn't stand. And if the filthy prum had managed to get his attention by playing the cute wife, this might be the perfect opportunity to even the odds.

Here we go Tiona! Get in position!

Well ! In this case, let the music begin!

With a gesture, the golem made two more crystals appear in the room, which began to play a strange music around the place, based on unknown sounds and instruments, but terribly catchy. The two sisters, drawing on the knowledge that we had just given them, therefore began to dance... a totally kawai idol choreography, with a lot of heart symbols, cute winks and poses intended to display all their cuteness. The music ended as the Amazon twins concluded their choreography with a very cute pose. Despite their smiles, inside, they shared exactly the same thought.

" Kill me now ! "

For fierce warriors like them, such a shameful display was the ultimate disgrace. In the audience, most of the jaws had dropped and most of the eyes were bulging at such a sight. However, the silence was broken by Bete, who was rolling on the floor, laughing so hard that he couldn't even stand. Ais was seized with small twitches, which were nothing more than manifestations of the fact that she was trying to refrain from laughing as best as she could. Seeing the Hiryute sisters perform like this could not leave her indifferent, stoic as she was. When they came back to theirs friends, they were flushed with shame and Bete couldn't help but piling in.

Girls! You were so awesome, wait till I tell the others about it!

The two sisters glared at him and then spoke in strangely calm voices.

Tell me Tione, what did the breeder say to Loki when she wanted to adopt a small dog?

That to avoid certain behavioral problems, it was better to castrate it ...

Weapons in hand, the two Amazoness unleashed all their pent-up hostility towards the paling werewolf. He knew these two freaks would be very much capable of carrying out their threat.

The nightmare these thirteen adventurers were put through continued, and nothing seemed to be able to stop it at the moment. But they had to find a little more courage within themselves, for the light at the end of the tunnel was drawing near.

To be continued…