The Wrong Hero

Chapter 69 - Left Field Actions

To say Dante woke up that morning next to two women wouldn't be accurate, since he still couldn't sleep.

Atla had been resting peacefully next to him, a firm hold on his arm locking it in place between her breasts. Her peacefulness was emphasized with soft snoring, which was uncommon from the younger tiger woman. It wasn't that they did anything particularly intimate, present situation excluded. One pregnant party member was enough, excluding Malty. After her comforting in the hot springs, they returned to the room to continue helping Malty prepare for such an activity, in the same way Dante was before he left.

As for the older princess, she had woken up when they entered, covering herself with the blanket. She accepted his explanation of feeling restless, which was technically true, and continued as they had. Malty didn't have an issue with Atla joining them. If anything, she seemed more at ease with someone else for Dante to focus on, if Dante had to guess. Though, she did opt to hold onto Dante's other arm in a similar fashion. It took her longer to fall asleep than Atla, but she managed.

After a long period of waiting and resting, the sun finally started to rise.

There was a commotion as they made ready for the day, largely from Fohl. She saw Atla exit the room Dante and Malty used, knowing full well what the soon-to-be-married couple were supposed to be doing. More accurately, she saw Atla clinging to Dante more fiercely than normal. Dante actually welcomed the outrage, seeing it as a return to the status quo for Fohl.

Atla stepped in to diffuse the situation. Meaning, she told Fohl to mind her business, not resorting to her usual jab in the stomach. She did give Dante another kiss, infuriating the older hakuko further.

With a pair of glaring eyes on Dante now, they set off for the next island. They went to the one with the karma squirrel, seeing as that was the only boss monster Dante didn't fight in the North Ferret Forest. Itsuki made a stink about it, finding something to complain about how Dante was following after him. Just another thing to ignore.

Of course, not everyone in the party went. Dante had Reiko and Elvira start searching the ocean close to the main island for any underwater structures. He remembered that's where the hourglass would most likely be located, unless it was on one of the islands. He knew for a fact they were somewhat close to an hourglass, since Melromarc was no longer marked as the closest one in his status. What he didn't know was when exactly the wave would be. It should be a few days, since Naofumi and them not only leveled a lot, but also had enough time to return to Melromarc.

Grinding on the karma squirrel island passed without incident, much like the karma penguin island. With two members out searching, they didn't go over the party limit for XP gains. Elrasla and her son went off on their own, since Atla picked things up so quickly. Anything more advanced would need to be trained and practiced over a longer period of time, after the activation event.

Eventually, the sun began to go down. The XP gains and item drops were good, but most of their equipment was still better. The party then returned to the main island. Reiko and Elvira hadn't returned yet, but they knew not to be out too late. The rest ate dinner at one of the restaurants before returning to the hotel.

Once they were there, most of them went to the room to relax, with Lilith again remaining outside in one of the large stables due to her size. Dante, however, was called away for an important matter.

~The Wrong Hero~

"They are inside here?" Dante pointed at a bar along the main road.

"Yes, Shield Hero." A man or woman in black bowed before disappearing.

It took two days of searching, but Mirellia's shadows located the two otherworlders. The four heroes were gathered up before being brought to the tavern they were found in.