Chapter 71
"Lord Clael, what shall we do today?"
"Let me see... how about we go on a boat today?"
After finishing breakfast, they returned to their room and reviewed the day's plans.
Yesterday had been spent swimming all day... but today, they decided to take a boat to a tourist attraction.
"There's a place nearby called 'Fairy Lantern Cave.' It's a popular tourist spot, so since we're here, let's go check it out."
"Fairy Lantern Cave... sounds interesting. I'd love to go."
Reina nodded with a cheerful smile.
'Fairy Lantern Cave' was a famous tourist spot and also a place where an important event occurred in the game.
A boat departed from a nearby port, and if you paid the boarding fee, they would take you there.
(This event is also important for the upcoming monster attack... I need to make sure I trigger the flag properly.)
"Well then, shall we go right away?"
No time like the present.
Clael took Reina and headed to the port where the boats departed.
The port, located a bit away from the beach, had many fishing and sightseeing boats docked.
If you asked, even the fishing boats would take you out, where you could enjoy fishing as a mini-game.
"Is this the tour boat to Fairy Lantern Cave?"
"Ah, yes. This is the right boat."
Approaching one of the boats, they called out to a woman who seemed to be the guide.
The woman gave a businesslike smile and waved the flag she was holding.
"It's one gold coin per person. Is that alright?"
"Yes, that's fine."
One gold coin for just a two- to three-hour tour was quite expensive, but there was no helping it.
It wasn't like he was short on money, so he paid without complaint.
(In the game, I think one of the capture targets paid for it? Students from noble academies really are rich if they can casually spend gold coins.)
"Alright then, please board the ship. We'll be departing in about thirty minutes, so please wait a bit. The boat may rock, so be careful with your footing."
"Understood."
Clael took Reina's hand and boarded the boat.
"Kya..."
"Whoa."
The boat rocked, and Reina lost her balance.
Clael quickly caught Reina against his chest... and felt a soft, squishy sensation against his upper arm. Her ample chest had pressed against him.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-Yes... I'm sorry, Lord Clael."
"It's fine. Just be careful with your footing."
As he spoke, Clael felt a slight sense of puzzlement.
(Yesterday, she almost tripped at the beach too... Is Reina just bad with her footing?)
Back when she worked at the shrine, she never showed signs of clumsiness, but maybe she had a natural klutz streak.
(She's not doing this kind of thing at the academy too, is she... If so, she seriously needs a lecture.)
Pressing her chest against random guys like that was the kind of thing a villainess trying to steal the heroine's fiancé in a light novel would do.
If Reina was doing it unconsciously, she needed to be corrected.
"Reina... please be extra careful with your footing. Seriously...!"
"Um... what's wrong, all of a sudden?"
"Nothing... It's just, men are wolves, you know. You mustn't act indecently."
"............?"
Reina tilted her head curiously.
Yeah, cute.
It was an incredibly calculated gesture, but knowing Reina, she probably wasn't doing it on purpose.
(So she really is a natural... That's scary. Seriously.)
The boat's deck had several benches, and some passengers were already seated.
Couples, families, groups of friends... all seemed excited for the upcoming cave tour.
"Lord Clael, I'm looking forward to this."
"Yes, me too."
Clael and Reina sat on an empty bench and waited for the boat to depart.
The sky was clear, with white clouds drifting across the blue expanse.
The wind was calm. Seabirds flew overhead, crying out "myaa myaa."
"Ladies and gentlemen, the boat will be departing shortly. It may rock a bit during departure, so please be seated on the benches."
It seemed the time to set sail had arrived.
The guide woman said with a bright smile as the boat began to leave the port.
"Wait, wait! Hold up!"
"We're coming too!"
However... just as they were about to lift the anchor, a group of four boys boarded the boat.
"Ugh..."
Was that a mishearing?
It felt like a voice unbefitting of a Saint had just escaped Reina's lips.
The ones who narrowly made it onto the boat were the same group of four they had seen yesterday.
They were the capture targets, led by Crown Prince Eric.