Aslan lay in the bathtub, recalling what had just happened.
Omul and countless specters had appeared. The declaration Omul made to them and the presence of Valerie that could be felt beneath it all.
The next thing that came to mind was the purpose.
To kill as many specters serving the deity as possible, hinder those not yet serving from doing so, and to ultimately kill Omul, who was central to this plan.
Thus, what needed to be done now was clearly the preparation for this.
The problem was that he didn’t know exactly what to prepare.
Though he had thought grandly and established a goal, it wasn’t an easy task.
It wasn’t something that could be resolved instantly with such a shallow aim.
Aslan suppressed a sigh rising in his throat while trying to use his stress-addled brain as much as possible.
Reclining in a massive bathtub that seemed to originate from the ancient empire era, all he could see in his blinking, soaked eyes were the faint lights of lanterns.
Aslan thought in the warm water.
Physically confronting them would be too difficult due to their overwhelming numbers.
Even if the sheer number wasn’t the issue, they were numerous and of considerable quality.
There was also the unknown factor of how much each enemy could handle, so Aslan couldn’t rashly choose a straightforward approach.
Most importantly, the enemies weren’t mere priests.
They were heroes, villains, or deities from the time of the ancient empire, or even earlier.
If priests specialized in killing based solely on power and authority, these beings were specialized in trials and battles worthy of those trials.
They likely used a wide range of magic, unpredictable wild magic, and martial arts at the peak of mastery.
Skilled in combat, they could easily turn tricks or superficial tactics against him.
Moreover, they were individuals who didn’t let their guard down.
Therefore, they were a difficult foe, one that couldn’t be defeated simply by head-on clashes.
Even without being priests, they were formidable enough; if such beings became priests, there wouldn’t be much chance of victory even if the entire traveling party joined forces with Lumel.
For these reasons, Aslan sighed.
He wiped his soaked hair back, placed his hand on his exposed forehead, and exhaled the lukewarm air that had seeped deep into his lungs.
Fighting head-on is tough.
Then, another method would be necessary.
But there wasn’t any clear plan that came to mind.
No matter what, something had to be thought out and a plan devised.
Aslan considered various methods only to discard them.
“Maybe assassination… No, that won’t work.”
Assassination might take out a few, but it wouldn’t be possible to eliminate all the specter-priests through assassination alone.
Before wiping them all out, he’d likely get caught and hunted down.
While assassination could be used as a secondary tactic, it wouldn’t be feasible as the main plan.
“Dragging the empire into a full-scale war… That would be disadvantageous. And I don’t want to anyway.”
If the empire were involved, the chances of success might look decent on paper.
However, the actual outcome was uncertain, and most importantly, the number of casualties among the imperial army would be significant.
Aslan didn’t like that idea.
He fought alongside his comrades, fought to become happy, and survived, but he still didn’t like the idea of people dying under his name.
Naturally closing his eyes, a sigh escaped.
“Handling Omul won’t make these others disperse either. He’s merely the host of the banquet, not the leader of the specters.”
Various methods came to mind only to vanish.
“Provoking discord among them would be useless since there’s no alliance or trust between them.”
With no solution in sight, his mood quickly sank.
Thinking about how fortunate the current situation was slightly improved his mood, though the sighs continued.
“At least it’s lucky that none of them know my identity, especially since Boren has returned as a specter.”
Since no plans came to mind, Aslan observed the present situation.
The situation was quite fortunate.
If his identity were discovered, he’d surely face concentrated attacks. It was fortunate that no one knew who he was.
Unless things progressed without revealing his identity, it would soon endanger not only Aslan but the entire traveling party and Lumel.
Thinking about this, Aslan felt a headache coming on.
Nothing clear came to mind, and the initial goal of gathering information wasn’t progressing smoothly.
At best, there was only the option of averting the worst-case scenario.
Aslan lifted his body from leaning against the bathtub and washed his face.
As the thoughts scattered with the swiping of his hands, Aslan reached a conclusion.
“Still, the banquet will continue for a while longer, so I should observe and devise a plan.”
This was at least a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.
They wouldn’t disperse immediately, and the banquet would continue.
For Aslan, who couldn’t afford mistakes and needed a careful and certain plan, this was a great relief.
Although stress remained, it was still fortunate.
Stress being unavoidable, Aslan wiped his hair back and sighed.
Just as he was dripping water from his head and leaning back against the bathtub, a knock came at the bathroom door.
Tap, tap.
Hearing the knocking, Aslan opened his closed eyes and glanced narrowly toward the door.
Omul had assigned rooms to the lingering specters—large and splendid rooms befitting heroes.
Aslan and Lumel shared the same room, so thinking about it, Lumel must be the one knocking at this hour.
Aslan thought that quite some time had passed.
Perhaps Lumel wanted to bathe as well, which might explain the knock.
So, as Aslan stood up from the bathtub, he said,
“Wait a moment…”
“Lumel here. I’ve come to share some perfumed oil with you.”
Lumel’s unexpected words made Aslan sit back down.
Blinking, Aslan recalled the excuse he had given recently after spending the night with Angie.
The excuse about borrowing perfume from Angie.
Right after that, he had mentioned sharing it, which he remembered now as the door slowly opened.
Though he could say he had changed his mind since he wasn’t really interested in the perfume, doing so would only raise suspicions.
Aslan didn’t want unnecessary suspicions that might sour the group dynamics.
Thus, he quietly decided to accept the perfume.
Thinking that Lumel would leave it and go, he turned his head.
When Aslan saw who entered upon the door opening widely, he flinched.
His eyes widened instantly.
“Lumel?!”
“Why, are you surprised?”
Lumel, trying to act casual despite a slightly trembling voice.
Aslan realized from his attitude that he was embarrassed and felt somewhat awkward himself.
Lumel wore a long silk robe that was thin enough to reveal hints underneath.
In this world of Geladridion, based on medieval times, such attire was considered underwear.
There was nothing underneath, evident from the prominent chest.
Realizing the gaze directed at his chest, Lumel subtly blushed while holding the perfume.
Aslan turned his head, attempting to erase the glimpsed silhouette from his mind.
“You can just leave it.”
His effort to speak casually was met with an unexpected reply.
“I owe you a lot, don’t I? This is the least I can do. Please don’t refuse.”
Though his voice trembled slightly, the words flowed naturally.
All sorts of inappropriate thoughts ran through Aslan’s mind.
“What do you intend to do?”
“I’m going to wash your hair.”
Only then did Aslan glance over and realize how small the perfume bottle Lumel held was, feeling a slight disappointment.
Simultaneously, he cursed himself for imagining something like an oil play.
Such thoughts shouldn’t have crossed his mind. Aslan chuckled awkwardly while thinking.
“Ahh, I see.”
Did his attempt to laugh it off work? Lumel smiled faintly.
The small perfume bottle in his left hand, visible even with a quick glance.
Perfume usually came in two types.
Most were small bottles meant for applying a little on the hair, while larger containers were used for applying it on the body.
When Lumel said he brought perfume, Aslan had hoped, perhaps foolishly, that it wasn’t for just washing his hair.
Fortunately or unfortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case.
In the other hand, Lumel carried a basket. Its contents weren’t perfume.
Thus, Aslan sighed and hesitated.
Accidentally, certain parts might show prominently, but covering them properly should prevent visibility.
Moreover, it seemed unlikely that Lumel would leave willingly if refused, and above all, rejecting the offer outright would be embarrassing.
It was a gesture of goodwill, and Aslan was bad at turning down such gestures.
The conclusion came quickly, and Aslan answered before Lumel could look uneasy.
“If that’s the case… I’ll let you.”
Apparently expecting rejection, Lumel’s eyes widened before smiling brightly and saying, “Understood.”
Soon, smiling broadly, Lumel approached. The sound of hesitant footsteps echoed behind him.
“How should I position myself?”
“You can comfortably lie back in the bathtub.”
“Alright?”
What does he intend to do? While Aslan wondered, Lumel sat cross-legged and said,
“Now, please close your eyes.”
Aslan obediently closed his eyes, and Lumel stretched his hand toward Aslan’s head while sitting cross-legged.
What followed was a rather ordinary action.
Taking his hand deep into the water where Aslan’s body was submerged, he scooped it out and gently poured water over Aslan’s head to wet it.
Then, using his fingers, he combed through Aslan’s hair softly while massaging his scalp with the tips of his fingers.
Occasionally, something fell from Aslan’s hair.
“Lumel?”
“It’s fine. It’s just something I use when washing my own hair.”
Indeed, it smelled as described; a unique fragrance of herbs, ash water, and oil wafted as Lumel moved his hands.
Probably a primitive shampoo typical of a medieval fantasy world, incomprehensible to the modern-born Aslan.
Despite no foam forming, there was a sensation of cleanliness.
Or perhaps Lumel was better at washing heads than Aslan had anticipated.
It felt surprisingly good.
His body relaxed pleasantly, and the stress he had been carrying until just moments ago began to ease.
Amidst the sensations of Lumel’s long fingers massaging his scalp, Lumel suddenly spoke.
“Aslan.”
“Hmm?”
“You once said you came from another world, right?”
Startled by the question, Aslan nodded slightly, prompting Lumel to hesitate before asking,
“Did you have this kind of hair in that world too?”
“What kind of hair?”
Confused by the vague statement, Aslan asked back, causing Lumel to visibly fluster.
“Ahh, umm, it’s not meant as a mockery! Just…”
Embarrassed, Lumel stopped his hands, and Aslan realized his mistake.
“Sorry, I don’t particularly like my hair either, so I guess I reacted overly sensitively.”
Though his reaction was merely asking back, it seemed to have registered differently with Lumel, who looked surprised and asked, “Is that so?”
“Yeah, ever since I was in my original place, I’ve had this curly hair. If I comb it wrong, strands get pulled out, and during washing, it often tangles around my fingers…”
Relieved by Aslan’s rambling explanation, Lumel gradually calmed down and smiled.
“Still, I like Aslan’s hair. It’s soft and feels nice.”
“Really? You talk like you’ve touched it.”
“Ahh.”
As Aslan chuckled lightly, Lumel giggled heartily. Hearing his light laughter, Aslan softened his expression and said,
“Thanks, even if it’s a compliment.”
“It’s not a compliment.”
Lumel grumbled, hesitating briefly before extending his hand to smooth Aslan’s hair.
Wiping away the ash-water mixed primitive shampoo, he gently combed through with his long fingers and said,
“Have you forgotten? I like you, Aslan.”
An awkward statement. Especially so while being touched naked.
Understanding Aslan’s silence perfectly, Lumel smirked and laughed.
“Are you shy?”
Aslan’s mouth twitched, and Lumel grinned.
“Don’t you think you’re different from usual when you’re like this? It’s cute. Are you doing it on purpose?”
“Stop it, stop. Stop teasing me.”
A bashful Aslan and a grinning Lumel whose hands didn’t stop.
After quietly finishing brushing and drying his hair, the woman spoke.
“I’m almost done.”
“Ah, already? Thanks.”
Though slightly reluctant, it was time to return to the tasks at hand. Just as Aslan was about to open his eyes to contemplate plans again,
“…Please keep your eyes closed for a moment.”
Lumel stopped him, and Aslan, puzzled, tightly shut his eyes again.
Swoosh.
Something pressed against the back of his head.
Too large to be a hand.
Aslan interpreted the sensation and realized that the rustling sound wasn’t from hair brushing against fabric but rather skin.
Something touched near his scalp, precisely at the boundary between his neck and scalp.
Something pulsating rapidly.
Large and soft.
Something heavy, pressing even without being pushed.
Above this weight, Lumel’s hands awkwardly spread oil on Aslan’s head.
It was uncomfortably close.
Unable to understand the situation, Aslan opened his eyes to find Lumel tilting his head back and kissing him.
A brief smacking sound. Deliberately making noise as the kiss broke, Aslan finally grasped the situation.
The heavy sensation pressing on his head was Lumel’s chest, and because Lumel had embraced his head, it was difficult to apply the oil.
Additionally, Lumel’s gown was now soaked, revealing what was underneath.
Aslan saw it directly.
And flinched.
A flustered Aslan and an embarrassed Lumel.
Lumel acted first.
With slightly reddened eyes, suppressing her embarrassment,
“Do you think I didn’t notice?”
There was no way to deflect that question.
Believing that Lumel hadn’t noticed Aslan’s actions with Angie would be more naive.
As Aslan pondered how to respond, Lumel looked at him with her fingers intertwined, her eyes gleaming with desire, familiar from some past occasion.
“We’re finally alone. I can’t just stand by and watch anymore. I’m tired of being preempted, and I certainly don’t want to be taken from.”
Her voice resolute, Lumel placed her hands on the shoulder part of her gown.
Sliding down, the gown. As the shoulder part dropped, the gown slipped off, revealing her body.
That body, possibly the finest Aslan had ever seen.
Shocked, Aslan watched as Lumel approached him naked, picking up a sizable jar from the basket.
“Body oil.”
A jar that clearly served that purpose. Sitting on the edge of the bathtub, Lumel said,
“I’ll wash you. Afterward…”
Approaching knowingly, Aslan swallowed hard.
