LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 33
After receiving the pendant from Roberto, I noticed that everyone seemed to have finished their meals and were now going about their own business.
I had prepared their sleeping arrangements and ensured their safety, so the tension from earlier had dissipated, and the atmosphere had relaxed.
‘It seems Master’s presence is quite significant after all,’
(I wonder if that’s true?)
As I idly fiddled with the pendant while observing the others, I heard the voice of Eve.
‘Of course. Someone who can take down multiple D-rank monsters at once is someone who can be relied on to “protect.” It’s like having an A-rank adventurer with us.’
If that were the case, it’s a good thing, I suppose. Just because it’s a test doesn’t mean we have to maintain an atmosphere of constant tension.
If we were told to endure two more days like that, I’d probably be exhausted.
While I was thinking about that, someone approached.
“Is something wrong, Angelica?”
In the center was Angelica, the girl on the left was Sara, and the one on the right was Sheena, right? These three always seemed to stick together.
“Erik-sama, you shouldn’t be all alone in the corner like that. If it’s alright, would you join us for a chat?”
Angelica invited me, while the other two girls behind her blushed and looked shy. It seemed like they were inviting me because they noticed I was alone. I should at least try to read the atmosphere and accept.
“Alright, would you mind being my conversation partners?”
I smiled and began talking with the three of them.
“Erik, were you always this strong?”
“Erik, come over here and chat with us!”
“Erik…”
“Erik…”
Before I knew it, other test-takers had gathered around me, and I was bombarded with questions.
‘Wow, Master is incredibly popular. Eve is touched that she can witness this scene.’
I could sense Eve teasing me as I was overwhelmed by the crowd.
‘But still, Master, why do you look so… grim? If you keep that face, you’ll never make any friends. You should smile.’
I would have liked to smile, but something unexpected was about to happen.
“Erik, can you teach us about how to deal with monsters?”
A male test-taker grabbed my right arm and pulled me.
“Erik-kun, could you tell me about the herbs used for potion-making?”
A female test-taker grabbed my left arm and pulled me.
It wasn’t that I minded. I was happy to be getting attention. But…
‘Master, don’t you look a bit pale?’
(Yeah. Eve, help me out here…)
If a monster comes, I can just beat it down. If there’s not enough food, I can prepare more. But…
‘What exactly do you need help with?’
The issue was that they smelled terrible.
Yes, after spending five days on a deserted island and fighting earlier, they smelled really bad.
“Well, after narrowly escaping that, let’s hold a strategy meeting.”
They were probably used to the smell by now, but for someone like me, who kept myself impeccably clean with [Clean], the stench was unbearable.
Blood, sweat, and even sludge clung to some of the test-takers, and as someone raised with better manners, I couldn’t help but feel the need to suggest they clean up.
Maybe the dire wolves attacked because of their smell?
I considered asking Eve for advice on how to deal with their stench.
‘What if we make them take a bath?’
“It’s not recommended to move now,” I replied.
There were D-rank and E-rank monsters nearby. It would be too risky to send them to a stream to wash up in such an environment.
“And besides, it’s a bit much to directly tell them they smell…”
Half the test-takers were women, and if I pointed it out, it could cause a lot of issues.
While observing them, I considered my options, but…
“Erik, weren’t you talking with everyone?”
Roberto approached, having taken off his armor, holding it in his hand. With this distance, the smell wasn’t too much of an issue, but…
“I was just thinking about something.”
“Are you worried about the watch tonight?”
Roberto misunderstood when he saw the serious expression on my face. If it came down to it, I could always leave the watch to Kaiser and Eve. If any monsters approached, those two would handle them and store the bodies in the cold room.
“Why, what about you? Why’d you take your armor off?”
“Oh, I got it dirty during the earlier battle. I was thinking of going to clean it.”
I remembered that there was a spot nearby where spring water flowed. I was planning on showing Roberto the way there, but then…
“Roberto, that’s it!”
An idea popped into my head.
“Ah, everyone, could you all pay attention for a moment?”
Roberto’s call caught everyone’s attention.
“What’s going on, Roberto?”
Angelica looked at him with a confused expression.
“Everyone’s equipment is looking pretty dirty. What do you think?”
At Roberto’s question, everyone glanced at their gear, then grimaced in unison.
“Actually, Erik can clean everyone’s gear. If anyone’s bothered by the dirt, feel free to speak up.”
Everyone began murmuring at that, and I stepped forward to speak in place of Roberto.
“For now, let me show you by cleaning Roberto’s gear. After that, you can decide whether you want me to clean yours too.”
As we had planned, I turned to face Roberto, raised my hand, and cast the spell.
“Clean!”
“W-what is this?!”
Steam rose from Roberto’s entire body, and his cheeks turned a healthy red.
“Ugh… I feel so… relaxed…”
Having never felt anything like this before, Roberto collapsed to the ground.
“Roberto! What’s happening?”
Angelica rushed over to him, and then…
“This… this is amazing. It’s not just my gear—it’s like all the dirt on my body is gone. And it felt so good…”
As Roberto said, his skin now looked as if it had been treated with skincare. His messy hair was now smooth and shiny.
He had completely transformed, and “unrecognizable” was the perfect way to describe it.
“Erik, this is incredible. Honestly, I’d want you to join the Cavero family just for this ability.”
A job cleaning all sorts of things? It wasn’t a bad offer, but it sounded too boring, so I’d have to decline.
“Really, your armor looks brand new.”
Angelica stared at Roberto’s armor.
“Erik-sama, could you use that Clean magic on me next?”
“Sure, I understand. Please stand there.”
I raised my hand and cast Clean on Angelica, just like I had with Roberto.
“Ah… th-this… I… I can’t stand it…”
Angelica covered her face with her hands and turned away so the others wouldn’t see. Her eyes were glistening, and I couldn’t help but feel a little flustered.
Once the magic finished…
“Hah… hah… That was even better than I imagined. I feel like I could get addicted to this feeling.”
Her praise was more than I expected.
One by one, the other test-takers accepted the Clean spell from me.
Once I finished cleaning everyone’s gear, my problem was solved.
‘You said you’d clean their equipment, but you ended up cleaning their whole bodies? Master, you really think ahead.’
Thanks to that, I was able to clean everyone without pointing out their body odor.