Yes, it suits Lord Dea!

"Well then, I'm going to continue clearing the dungeon. I'll probably be back by night, but if I'm not back, go ahead and eat dinner without me～"

"Okay, take care Onee-san."

"Take care, Master!"

We saw off Master as she headed to the dungeon alone. After she waved and disappeared into a spatial hole, Lord Dea spoke to me.

"Aishia-san. Come to think of it, Onee-san was sleeping in your room, wasn't she? And before that, she was sleeping with your younger sister too."

"Yes. She slept with me."

"… Um, how close are you with Onee-san? Your younger sister said something about being lovers…"

"How close, you ask?"

"Well, erm…"

Seeing Lord Dea fidget while asking questions, the tips of her ears turning red as she avoided my eyes, I immediately understood. She's asking about Master's favor.

My my, so Lord Dea is curious about such things. Ufufufu, I understand, you know? You're trying to hide your romantic feelings for Master, but you're not hiding them at all!

"Lord Dea… Master doesn't like men."

"… As I thought?"

"However, I think you have a chance, Lord Dea. The fact that a man-hating Master keeps you by her side makes that clear, doesn't it?"

"You think so? Oh, but, um, Onee-san is dating your younger sister…"

"It's fine. Since they're both girls, it doesn't count. Besides, Sati is half-joking when she says that. Master is essentially single."

Well, half of it seems genuine, but that's that.

"Lord Dea. To receive Master's favor, you should become even cuter…!"

"F-favor, you mean…"

"Master clearly spoils you more when you're dressed as a girl, right!? That's exactly what it means! If you become more feminine, Master will make a move on you!"

"I-I see? Oh, no, it's not like I'm hoping for that, you know?"

Ahh, how frustrating!

"If we wait for elven timidness, other races will die of old age! Is that what you want, Lord Dea!?"

"Th-that's not what I want!"

"Then let's dress up girly for Master! There are places that sell accessories in Karkassa too!"

"… I don't really know much about that kind of thing. Will you help me?"

"Yes, gladly!!"

And so we began 'Operation: Dress up cute while Master is in the dungeon, seduce her, and get her to make a move on us.'

Well, Master already laid hands on me the other day, so I'm just accompanying Lord Dea in an elegant mood. Ehehe.

By the way, the accessories in Karkassa fall into two extremes: gaudy gifts for prostitutes, or modest and cute ones for female adventurers. This time, we headed to a shop of the latter type for Lord Dea's sake.

"Hmm. I wonder what Onee-san would like… Aishia-san, how about this one?"

"Oh, that's cute! As expected, Lord Dea has good taste. Master likes simple things like that. You could even wrap it around your body and say 'I am the present.' That could work too?"

"I see. So wrapping a ribbon around your body is a type of fashion."

Ah, she doesn't understand that means naked with a ribbon. Well, whatever.

"(That innocent naivety is also part of the charm…) Yeah, it suits Lord Dea!"

"Really? Hmm, then… well, I guess I'll buy it. If there's a proper etiquette or meaning to how it's wrapped, please teach me."

"Of course. I'll explain the gist of it on the way back so Master doesn't find out. And please let me buy this one!"

With that, I purchased the ribbon for Lord Dea.

Hm? Why am I paying? Fufufu. So Lord Dea can't complain later! If she bought it with her own money, she might back out!

And if by any chance it works, the fact that 'Lord Dea is a present from me to Master' will be established! Let's see, the price is… Hm? Per meter…?

I get it. This is the tricky kind.

"Oh, they sell it by length… Can you handle this?"

"D-don't underestimate me!"

I was about to show my wallet to the clerk and have them take the right amount as usual, but then I remembered I'd been studying 'arithmetic.'

Now is the time for the 'arithmetic' Master taught me! Um, um.

"That will be one silver coin and four large copper coins, please."

I did it! I properly completed a purchase, Master!!

"How about that, Lord Dea? I can do shopping too."

"Yes, well done."

"Ehehe… hey, don't treat me like a child! I'm a grown lady!"

"Sorry, I couldn't help it. Oh, shall we buy some other things too?"

Geez. Oh, I need to explain how to use the ribbon on the way back.

… … … … … …

… …

"—And so you deliberately adorn your completely naked body with a ribbon, that's the proper etiquette."

"Wha!? Th-that's no better than underwear!"

"Huh? That's the part you're embarrassed about?"

"Give it back! I'll carry it myself!"

"Ehh, but I couldn't possibly have Lord Dea carry bags while I, a slave, walk empty-handed. Come on, Lord Dea, let me carry the bags!"

"It's okay, I'll carry this much myself. I can't make you carry it, Aishia-san. It's underwear!"

Aww, so cute. I see, this is why Master keeps you close.

But Master's already making you wear girl's underwear, so it's a bit late for that, isn't it?

And so, when we finished shopping and came back, Master had collapsed in the living area.

To be precise, she was lying on the sofa looking exhausted.

"Master!?"

"Onee-san! Are you okay!?"

"Uuu… ah, welcome back you two. Yeah, I-I'm fine… I'll rest a bit and then go back to the dungeon… uuu."

Clearly, Master did not look fine.

Beyond where we had accompanied her, deep in the dungeon, there must be something capable of reducing even someone as strong as Master to this state…! How fearsome, this dungeon!

"If I may be so bold, Master. You should rest for today…"

"No, it's just, my brain got a bit fried, so I'm okay…"

"That sounds serious! If the stuff inside your head spills out, you'll die, you know!? Please rest properly! Lord Dea, help me carry Master to her room!"

"Oh, yeah. Okay… Onee-san, can you stand?"

"Uuu…"

And so Lord Dea and I supported Master on both shoulders and carried her to the futon in her room.

Sniff sniff… Master's scent is concentrated in this room. It's arousing.

No no, that's not it. Master, please get better soon…!