It’s slapdash work, but the underground maze I created beneath the ocean is identical to the original.
The monsters wandering around the passages are remote-controlled copies of the ones from the actual ruin. Made out of barriers.
Charlotte, Iris, Marianne, and Laius are forging their way through the labyrinth, honing their teamwork.
Flay is in her sheet-ghost costume again for some reason. I had to reprimand her a few times for going too far ahead of the group, but she’s finally settling into an overseer role for the party.
Everyone is working on memorizing the maze and contending with the monsters─sometimes successfully, sometimes not.
Iris and Laius are at the fore. Charlotte and Princess Marianne are supporting them from behind. Every now and then, flames shoot out of the sheet-ghost’s eyeholes.
On site, Flay gives out general directions. Professor Tear follows up (remotely) with more detailed advice.
The training scenario even anticipates interference from Numbers. Things are going smoothly.
Frankly, I can’t even be bothered to provide even a brief recap of the training process.
I’m quite busy. I’m doing a heck of a lot of work controlling the monsters, setting traps, simulating mischief waged by Numbers, and so on.
Before we know it, it’s the day before the actual expedition.
“Well done, you rascals! Have a blast tomorrow! I’m going to finally get some sleep! Adios!”
I’m exhausted, but I try to stay cool as I deliver my words of encouragement. Exit Shiva.
Now I’m here as Haruto, wearing a rash guard and a withered look on my face.
It’s not that I’m physically tired or that my mana is depleted or anything. Just mentally, you know.
“Thank you so much, Brother Haruto! Please have a good rest.”
Char quickly sets up a parasol and a beach chair. The little angel offers the resting spot to me with the sweetest smile.
She’s wearing a pink two-piece swimsuit with cute ruffles on the chest and around the hips, paired with a bright smile from ear to ear. What a perfect little sister. I appreciate her.
“Very well, everybody!” she calls out. “Tomorrow’s the big day. Have lots of fun today and eat lots of food to power up for the tournament!”
“Yay!”
The hearty cheer comes from Mel, the mysterious little girl we found in the labyrinth. Despite her enthusiasm, she doesn’t express much with her face. She has dark skin and white hair, and she’s wearing a Japanese schoolkid’s swimsuit with her name written across the chest.
“Hold up. What the heck is this costume?!” Laius blurts, staring down at his board shorts. With his burly physique, he looks like a total meathead. Throw on some big chains and rings on the guy and you’d have the stereotypical beach bum douchebag.
“It’s swimwear. What’s the problem?”
“It’s way too skimpy!”
Apparently, swimsuits in this world are pretty much the same as regular clothes. Also, swimming at the beach as a leisure activity isn’t really a thing here.
“I agree… This attire is…too much like underwear.”
Marianne is fidgeting in her string bikini. Okay, but you picked that out yourself. I gave her a few options and she chose the one with the least amount of coverage.
“I suppose it is practical, but I still feel embarrassed…” Iris chose a one-piece athlete’s swimsuit. It’s not as revealing, but it is super high cut around the crotch, and the way it accentuates her body is definitely lewd.
“It is a bit hard to get used to even for me. But as Iris says, it seems practical for swimming.” Professor Tear is in a strapless one-piece swimsuit. It looks like it might slip down at any moment.
“What are you all, soft in the head? Complaining after you’ve put it on?” Flay has a good point. She’s wearing a red, intricately designed bikini. It’s got slightly more coverage than Marianne’s, but her boobs are spilling out from all sides.
“Haruto, how come you’re the only one wearing a top?” Laius demands.
“This is called a rash guard. It’s mostly for protection against the sun.”
“All you’re doing is sleeping in the shade!”
It also serves the purpose of hiding the royal insignia on my chest. I have it covered up with my barrier, but I wouldn’t want it slipping off at the wrong moment.
Anywayz. Funny thing─I was in Shiva Mode the whole time so from everyone else’s point of view, I’m just showing up now. Yet nobody’s complaining like, “But you haven’t done any of the work!”
“I brought a bunch of stuff to play with so knock yourselves out,” I offer as I ignore Laius’s glare and flop down on my beach lounger.
“Sir Haruto, your drink.” Liza approaches with a glass of some kind of tropical beverage.
“Thank you.”
I take it from her and drink it down. It’s cold, sweet, and delicious.
“Um… Why was I invited? I didn’t do anything to help…” says Liza.
She’s in a bathing suit, too. A cute one-piece.
“We wouldn’t want you to be left out.”
Char made sure of that. Of course, I’d planned on inviting her from the start.
“Thank you…”
Liza gives me a meek smile as Char pulls her into the water. Pretty soon everyone joins in on the fun.
Char and Liza are splashing at each other. Droplets of water sparkle in the sun. As pretty as a picture.
Iris and Flay are engaged in a ferocious beach volleyball game. I made the ball extra sturdy so it could withstand plenty of beatings. It whizzes back and forth over the net at a crazy speed.
Marianne and Mel seem to be hitting it off. I wonder when that happened. They’re collecting seashells together.