"Is it here?"
"No, a little higher… yes, right there… mm…"
At Shiomi's question, Morgan let out a soft, ambiguous hum, her voice cool yet strangely alluring.
"I'm just massaging your feet. Do you really have to make such intoxicating sounds?"
His hands paused as he looked at her with helpless resignation.
"That's because my husband's technique is far too refined. Even I can't stay perfectly composed." Morgan leaned back against the bed, her eyes half-lidded as she looked at Shiomi.
"All right, all right…" Shiomi had no answer.
His technique was hardly refined. He was simply used to taking care of Morgan and the others, so he had picked up some experience.
If anything, Morgan's reaction now felt so exaggerated that it made him uneasy.
"I'm not lying, you know. When you massage someone and apply mana to their Magic Circuits, your control is even better than mine. Even if you keep interfering with the circuits, there's no rejection or pain." Morgan looked at him quietly. "This isn't just because I'm used to it."
"You said redirecting Artemis's arrow was exhausting, that your Magic Circuits were almost burned out. That's why I offered to check…" Shiomi sighed. "But they're in great condition. Better than when you saved me back then."
"If Artemis could fire her Noble Phantasm continuously, I really would have suffered." Morgan admitted openly that she had just been acting spoiled.
Shiomi nodded. "So even gods have their limits. Is it a problem with that mechanical body, or is it that a divine body's recovery simply can't keep up with the consumption of a Noble Phantasm?"
"Either way, now that Olympus knows we can redirect Artemis's arrow, of the three obstacles they had, only one and a half remain." Morgan nodded.
The unknown true form of Poseidon was one. Artemis, who wasn't fatal but couldn't be ignored, made up the remaining half.
"Judging from Demeter's appearance, Olympus realized something was wrong the moment we destroyed Odysseus's fleet," Shiomi said. "They're no longer relying only on Servants and soldiers. They've started sending gods themselves onto the battlefield to stop us from reaching the city of the gods."
"So that's fine with you?" Morgan asked.
"What do you mean?" Shiomi was puzzled.
"Don't you want to go see the situation on Heracles Island yourself?" Morgan said.
"There's nothing special about it. Just temples, ruins, and settlements of Lostbelt residents." Shiomi shook his head. "I'd rather stay on the Storm Border and deal with any sudden emergencies."
"How many cornerstones are left?" Morgan asked again.
"Heracles Island isn't finished yet. After that, we'll head to Hecate Island," Shiomi replied. "All the temples on these islands are built in places perfectly suited for rituals."
"Good thing we blocked Artemis's arrow. Otherwise, we would've had to move west and look for other islands to land on." Morgan chuckled lightly.
Shiomi smiled as well and released her foot.
"Is it over already?" Morgan sounded a little reluctant.
While Shiomi had been massaging her, the mental fatigue from using Grand Magecraft had long since vanished.
"If you want to keep going, lie down. I'll massage your back," Shiomi said.
Morgan tilted her head and thought for a moment. "Why don't you lie down instead? Let me take care of you for once."
"You've already taken care of me more than enough," Shiomi said with a smile.
"Bed is bed, everyday life is everyday life." Morgan sat up lightly, her pale hands fluttering like butterflies as she beckoned him to lie down.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Shiomi didn't argue further. He lay down beside Morgan, resting his chin on a pillow.
"Any requests?"
Morgan swung a leg over and settled near his hips, lifting her ponytail to adjust it. She braided it a little, then tied it up in a style like Artoria's.
"None. My wife, do as you like. I'll grade you based on your performance," Shiomi said cheerfully.
"Then I'll aim for a perfect score."
Morgan's eyes curved with a smile as her hands moved along Shiomi's broad back, searching for a good place to start.
In the end, her hands wandered over his back for a good five minutes. Finally unable to hold it in any longer, Shiomi decided to ask.
"If you're just touching, that doesn't really count as a massage, you know?"
"It's already stiff… My husband's body is far too hard." Morgan frowned, her lips pursed slightly as if complaining. "It feels like it should be flexible to the touch, but when I press down, it's like poking a rock. You don't even look like a big, burly guy…"
"That's called being tempered through countless trials." Shiomi couldn't help feeling a little smug. "If your fingers are getting tired, why not use the Magecraft you're best at?"
"Oh? Is that so?" Taking his advice, Morgan reinforced her fingertips with mana and pressed down with ease.
"Oooh—oh—oh—oh—oh!"
Shiomi let out a string of pained yelps, startling Morgan.
"My husband, are you all right?"
"Ah… y-yeah, I'm fine. Take it easy, I'm not your enemy. Just now I almost thought my Magic Circuits were going to be ripped out by the roots." Shiomi gave a dry laugh.
"I wasn't sure how much you could take." Feeling apologetic, Morgan lowered her strength from before. "How about this?"
"Mmm, that's much better. Just a little stronger… ow… a bit lighter there… yes, yes! Just like that! You really are a genius," Shiomi said in surprise.
"As long as my husband enjoys it." Morgan smiled, clearly pleased.
"Of course I do—" Shiomi hummed comfortably.
"My husband's shoulders are very solid. Just touching them makes me feel at ease," she said softly. "If I leaned against them like this, I'd probably fall asleep without a care."
"Already thinking about sleeping?" Shiomi chuckled.
"It's still early. Everyone else is investigating the island while we lie around here. That would be a bit irresponsible." Morgan shook her head. "Besides, if something unexpected happens, it takes time just to get dressed."
"Does sleeping always have to mean doing that?"
"If we're not doing that, why sleep at all?"
Morgan shot back without a moment's hesitation.
"…"
"Sit up for a moment. Take off your clothes." Morgan shifted slightly so Shiomi could turn over and sit up.
"Huh?"
"Pressing through clothes isn't as effective as taking them off."
"Fair enough."
As he sat up, Morgan reached out and began pulling down the zipper at the front of his clothes.
At that moment, the door to the room opened.
"Professor, we made contact with traces of Proper Human History on the island—ah, sorry for the interruption!"
Olga Marie spoke briskly as she opened the door, only to be startled by the scene before her. She hurriedly apologized and ducked back behind the door.