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"Is this… the important thing?"
Standing in front of a lingerie shop, Ophis asked with visible confusion.
Yes.
A lingerie shop.
The "important matter" Anos had mentioned was, in fact, buying underwear for Ophis.
"Ophis… you don't actually own any underwear, do you?"
Anos sighed.
He had already understood this fact very clearly, He had even witnessed it firsthand.
Once, thanks to Asia's legendary tendency to trip on absolutely nothing, Anos had accidentally discovered just how little common sense Ophis had developed over the past several centuries.
"Underwear…?"
Ophis paused to think.
"Oh…"
After a moment, she remembered.
About two hundred years ago she had overheard human women mentioning something like that. Small pieces of cloth are used to cover the body.
"I… do not have underwear."
"See.."
As she spoke, Ophis casually lifted the hem of her gothic lolita dress.
"Stop! Stop! Stop!"
Anos hurriedly grabbed her arm.
If she lifted it any further, the entire shop would be treated to a full reveal.
Thankfully it was nighttime and there were no men around the store, Otherwise, a major commotion would already have started.
"Ophis, didn't I tell you earlier? When you're around me, say 'I,' not that old formal way of speaking."
"And don't ever do something like that again, Understood?"
He sounded like a tired father reminding his child for the hundredth time.
"Why?"
Ophis tilted her head.
She had merely stated a fact, What exactly was wrong with that?
"Because when you do that, it makes me sad."
Anos offered the simplest explanation he could.
Trying to explain human social conventions in detail would probably take the entire night.
And he didn't have that much time.
The time flow between worlds had been carefully adjusted. One hundred hours in the other worlds equaled one hour back home.
If he stayed away too long, Hestia might sneak into his room again and discover he wasn't there.
That would definitely cause trouble.
Ophis thought for a moment.
"I understand, I will not do that again."
She corrected both her behavior and her speech.
"Good! Then let's finish this quickly."
Anos took her hand and led her inside.
…
"Welcome... Are the two of you together?"
A store clerk approached them.
She glanced at Anos, then at Ophis.
First conclusion: judging by his appearance, the boy in front of her definitely didn't look like a creep.
Second observation: both had black hair and black eyes.
Her brain quickly constructed a story.
They must be siblings.
Yes, that made sense.
While it was a little unusual for a brother to accompany his little sister to buy underwear, her young age made it understandable.
Within seconds the clerk had even imagined a tragic backstory where their parents had passed away and the older brother was raising his sister alone.
"If I helped them a little… maybe that wouldn't be so bad."
Her imagination kept expanding.
Perhaps she could get closer to this kind-hearted young man. Maybe she could help care for his little sister.
Anos's presence simply had that effect on people.
Even before, he had possessed an unusual charm.
That's a god for you.
But Now it was even stronger.
Something about him naturally drew others in.
"So, little miss, what kind of style do you like?"
The clerk smiled warmly.
She briefly thought Ophis might be another girl who had visited earlier, also with black hair But that girl had carried an umbrella and had a much colder demeanor.
This one felt completely different.
"I am not a child. I am—"
Thump!
Before Ophis could finish, Anos gently tapped her head.
She immediately remembered.
Right, She probably shouldn't introduce herself as the Infinite Dragon God in public.
"I… will follow my contractor's decision."
"…Contractor?"
The clerk smiled politely, though she was clearly confused.
Maybe the girl was some kind of magical familiar belonging to the boy?
In this world, strange supernatural relationships weren't unheard of.
"Sorry... We'll just look around ourselves."
Anos said while vigorously ruffling Ophis's hair.
"Mm…"
Ophis stared back at him blankly.
Weren't they contract partners?
Why couldn't she say that?
Once they reached a quieter corner of the store, she asked again.
"Are we not contractors?"
"We are," Anos replied quietly.
"But that's not something strangers should know, I'm not strong enough yet to deal with the consequences if that information spreads."
He leaned closer and spoke softly.
That was also why he chose this world to buy her underwear instead of doing it back home.
Here, nobody knew them.
This avoided many complications.
Ophis nodded.
"That makes sense."
"Then what should I call you?"
"Just call me Anos, Though I'd really prefer if you called me big brother."
"Anos."
She said his name immediately.
"…You could call me big brother."
"Anos."
She repeated.
"…Big brother would make me happy."
"Anos."
For some reason, this was the one thing Ophis refused to budge on.
Just as Anos was thinking about how to convince her otherwise, he suddenly sensed something and looked up.
"…Hm?"
A black-haired girl holding an umbrella was staring at him like he was a criminal.
"Today I've truly learned just how depraved young people can be."
Her name was Natsuki Minamiya.
She had only come out to buy underwear.
Instead, she had apparently stumbled into a case of suspected child abduction.
As both a teacher and a high-ranking official of the island administration, maintaining public order was part of her duty.
If she hadn't seen it herself, she might have ignored it But now that she had witnessed it, she couldn't look away.
"Explain your relationship with that girl."
Her voice carried overwhelming authority.
No matter how handsome or well-mannered he appeared, she wouldn't compromise her principles.
"Anos?"
Ophis tugged his hand and made a subtle chopping motion with her other hand.
Translation: Should I eliminate her?
"No, That won't be necessary."
Anos stopped her.
"Our relationship has nothing to do with you."
He replied calmly.
So this was Natsuki Minamiya.
What a coincidence.
Anos glanced around the shop.
It suddenly made sense.
They were standing in the children's underwear section.
For someone with Natsuki's appearance, being here looked perfectly normal.
"You seem to know who I am."
Natsuki narrowed her eyes.
Most people would assume she belonged here.
Only those aware of her true identity and age would find it strange.
"Natsuki Minamiya, I'm not a student and I haven't broken any laws. There's no reason for you to interfere."
Anos shrugged.
Unfortunately, she didn't look convinced.
"I suspect you're a kidnapper."
"Come with me, If you're innocent, you'll be released."
Despite her suspicion, she still spoke relatively politely.
But his appearance only made her more wary.
Someone this charming could easily manipulate a child.
"As I said, we're just passing through, We'll leave once we're done."
Anos sighed.
He didn't want to waste time here.
If he stayed too long, Hestia might notice he was gone.
So.
Two cards appeared in his hand.
Behind him, the phantom image of a crystalline dragon manifested.
Natsuki had no idea what that dragon was called.
Its name was—
Savior Star Dragon.
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~Support with 300 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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