Chapter 6: Temple of the Festival Day — Part 1: Tailoring of the Cloak
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Warning: This content may contain explicit or mature themes and is intended for viewers 18 and older. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
Translator's Note: The term was originally intended to be "Mantle," but I opted to use "Cloak" instead.
Volume 1: Witch Carly Arc
Chapter 6: Temple of the Festival Day
— Part 1: Tailoring of the Cloak
Aurelius and Magnolia arrived in town in the early afternoon that day, though normally they wouldn't have arrived until evening.
In fact, even though it was a distance that could be covered in one day, they deliberately camped out and took two days. That night, they wanted to enjoy another relaxing bath, so they prepared the bath and took their time together. Since Aurelius wasn't fully recovered yet, they couldn't have sex, but they enjoyed bathing together and being affectionate while naked.
Though purification magic and cleansing board could clean their bodies, soaking in warm water still felt refreshing and pleasant.
The town where Aurelius and Magnolia arrived was different from the others they had seen so far.
"We're still in the Exley Kingdom, right?
This town feels more like the Sealea Kingdom."
Magnolia seemed to recognize what felt off.
The Sealea Kingdom lies to the south of the Exley Kingdom. Its coastal areas are known for fishing, and the mountain regions for agriculture, and it worships the Water God. They were not traveling through this kingdom but heading towards the Uniom Kingdom beyond it. However, since this town is close to the Sealea Kingdom, there might be some influence here.
"You picked up on that well.
This town worships the Water God, which is common in the Sealea Kingdom. It enshrines one of the God's messengers, the Inari fox. It's a deity prayed to for the prosperity of crops.
Also, today is the monthly festival, so there will be many visitors."
A passerby shared this information.
Apparently, there is a large temple dedicated to the Inari fox, and it attracts many worshippers.
"It's almost time for prayers, but it might be crowded."
Aurelius looked at Magnolia, who returned his gaze with a surprised expression.
"That's true, but with so many people, I'm not very inclined to go."
"Right. Maybe there are other temples.
It might be better to find a place to pray after dinner."
"Umm, I'll do that then."
Magnolia wrapped her arms around Aurelius, which already gleamed almost as bright as pure white.
"Oh!, and after we find a place to stay, there's a shop I'd like to visit. Is that okay?"
"What are we buying together?"
Magnolia had a sense of foreboding, but she wanted to grant Aurelius's wish if that's what he desired.
Since it was still early, many inns had vacancies, so they quickly found a room.
After asking what he needed to buy, Magnolia went out with Aurelius. Although she wasn't too keen on the shopping, she was persuaded by Aurelius. Besides, when he mentioned that she might not even use what they bought, Magnolia couldn't bring herself to refuse.
The two of them entered a fabric store and bought a thin, white cloth large enough to wrap around the body.
After that, they took the fabric to a tailor recommended by the fabric store and asked them to sew it.
"I want it made into a cloak that reaches Magnolia's feet, with slit openings for her hands. The front should fasten securely up to her waist so it won't come loose, and the lower part should be easy to unfasten.
We might leave town tomorrow, so if possible, I'd like it finished by tonight. I'll pay extra for the rush."
It was strange to make a cloak out of such thin fabric, but it suited Aurelius's needs.
The young clerk found the unusual order strange and looked puzzled but agreed to take on the task with the promise of extra payment.
Magnolia was still hesitant about wearing the cloth. Even so, she wanted to grant Aurelius's wishes. But she was also afraid of how easily she might accept it.
After placing the order, the two of them strolled around the town. Since it was a festival day, many stalls were set up in front of the temple, creating a lively atmosphere.
They sampled a few items and bought plenty of what they liked. They still had enough food, but having a variety of options made things more enjoyable.
The enjoyable shopping time flew by, and before they realized it, dusk was approaching.
With everything they needed already bought, they had dinner together and returned to their inn. Upon entering their room, they each washed their bodies with the cleansing board in turn. Aurelius was in his boxers, while Magnolia, wearing only a loincloth, embraced him as they lay down on the bed.
They kissed intensely, their tongues intertwining. It was a joyful and intimate moment for them as lovers.
Chu, Mwah, MwahHhh—
Slurp, slurp-slurp—
"Hmm, hmmmm—"
Despite being lovers and seeming ready for sex, Aurelius was unable to do so due to the curse. He didn't want to use the aphrodisiac, fearing the potential negative effects.
"Shall I do it by mouth?"
Magnolia rubbed Aurelius's boxers and moved her face closer to his waist.
"Maybe not right now."
Aurelius declined.
"Why not?"
"I don't know, it just feels that way.
We might do it later, so let's wait until then."
Magnolia didn't fully understand, but it seemed Aurelius had his reasons.
After that, they continued to embrace and kiss for a while.
"Is it still okay?"
At Aurelius' question, Magnolia sat up.
"Yeah, I should probably go pray soon."
"Alright, I understand."
Magnolia got out of bed, put on her loincloth, and wore a short yukata.
"Well then, I'm heading out. It might be late, so feel free to go to sleep first."
She leaned in and kissed Aurelius, who was still lying in bed.
Magnolia left the inn and entered a bar, ordering just one drink. Although the bar was crowded, none of the men there appealed to her.
Come to think of it, it's been a while since she looked for men in a bar like this. Lately, she has been having sex with men recommended by Aurelius.
Even though she has a man she truly loves, she has become the kind of troublesome person who can't resist being with other men. But since the problem started with Magnolia and her party, she has no right to complain.
After finishing her drink, Magnolia left the bar.
Ordering just one drink at the second bar too, the patrons who tried to interact here were not to Magnolia's liking. She preferred someone a bit more refined, intelligent, and reliable. Aurelius would have been perfect, without a doubt.
She couldn't tolerate men who seemed lowly—they reminded her of a man who had once betrayed her.
She left the second bar after only one drink as well.
Today, she entered the third bar, half resigned to the possibility that she might not be successful.
As she looked around for an available seat, she noticed a man drinking alone—someone she recognized from somewhere, though it seemed he was more focused on eating.
She shouldn't have known anyone in this town. After a moment, Magnolia remembered. The man was the clerk from the clothing store where they had requested some fabric work.
If he's drinking, then the work they asked for must be completed.
"Is it alright if I sit here?"
She asked for permission just in case, but before the clerk could respond, Magnolia sat down.
"Um, yes.
Umm, you're the customer."
"By the looks of it, it seems the work we requested is done."
"Yes, it's somehow finished. I don't know what it's for, but it turned out well as an indoor cloak."
"Actually, I don't know what it's for either. It seems Aurelius had something in mind."
Although Magnolia actually knew the details from Aurelius, she preferred to keep it vague.
"In any case, I appreciate that you completed it today."
"Since we received adequate payment, it's only natural for the store to uphold its end of the bargain."
"Many stores don't manage that.
You've been a big help. Let me buy you a drink.
Actually, make it two more drinks."
The drinks were brought to Magnolia and the clerk.
"Well then, cheers."
They clinked their cups and took a sip.
"Did customer come to the Inari festival too?"
The clerk spoke while sipping his sake.
"No, we just happened to pass by on the day of the festival. Our actual destination is much farther ahead."
"But it's such a special festival, aren't you going to enjoy it? There are stalls and it's quite lively.
And you're with your lover, aren't you? It must be fun to walk around the festival together."
"We did make a round after leaving your shop in the daytime.
It does look enjoyable at night, but since we're always together, there's no need to make a special trip.
Besides, we both prefer praying at quieter shrines or altars rather than crowded temples.
By the way, what about you? Do you have someone to go with?"
"Unfortunately, as a lowly clerk, women don't show interest."
"Is that so? That's unfortunate.
Since we've met here, it's fate. How about I go with you to pray?"
"Really, customer would?"
The clerk's eyes widened in surprise, and a glimpse of hidden intentions was briefly visible, which was exactly what Magnolia wanted.
"That's right. Are you not satisfied with me?"
"No, it's perfect."
"That's good to hear. However, I'm not fond of crowded temples.
If possible, do you know of any quieter places?"
"Actually, there's a nice small temple. It does enshrine Inari foxes.
During the festival, everyone heads to the larger temples with stalls, so this place remains empty.
You'll need to buy candles as a result."
"Why buy candles?"
"There are stone towers around the temple where candles are placed to provide light. Visitors bring candles to light them as an offering to Inari-sama.
But since nobody comes here, there aren't any candles.
That's how deserted it is."
"That sounds quite interesting. Shall we go there?"
A place with fewer people was more convenient for Magnolia.
When the two of them left the bar, Magnolia wrapped her arm around the clerk's.
"Eh—"
Ignoring the surprised clerk, she pressed herself against his arm.
"We're going to the festival to pray, aren't we? It's better to go as lovers rather than strangers.
Just for a little while, I'll be your lover. You don't mind, do you?"
"No, I'm delighted.
But is it really alright? What if your real lover finds out?"
"He's not so narrow-minded as to get angry over something like this.
But it's only until we finish the prayer.
And, I won't give you a kiss. My lips are reserved for my real lover."
"Yes, I understand."
The clerk responded energetically, his eyes shining with joy.
Magnolia pressed her chest against the clerk's arm, hoping he would pick up on the hidden meaning in her words.
The clerk led Magnolia down the street lined with festival stalls. Just when she thought things were turning out differently than expected, they stopped at one stall and bought four candles. Since there were no stalls near the temple they were headed to, it seemed they needed to purchase everything here.
They also bought a piece of rope that was already lit at one end, apparently intended to light the candles. The clerk walked carefully, making sure the flame didn't go out.
"Right this way."
She was led away from the lively street by the store clerk. As she went further, even the occasional passerby vanished. It was so dark and deserted that any ordinary woman might feel threatened.
Magnolia, an adventurer, has a storage box where she can always access her sword and armor. Plus, with this store clerk, she could win even without any weapons. It didn't seem particularly dangerous to her.
"Here it is."
There was indeed a temple gate, but since it was surrounded by trees rather than walls, it looked like it could be entered from any direction.
"Here, huh. It really is deserted."
Anticipating the possibility of an ambush, Magnolia carefully entered the temple gate while staying alert for any potential attacks from the sides. Naturally, no one attacked her—the only thing she found was a temple deep in the darkness.
"I'll light the candles."
The store clerk placed candles on a stone pillar about chest height in front of the temple and transferred the flame from the source. Another candle was set on a stone stand beside the temple.
To eyes accustomed to the dark, even the small candlelight felt quite bright.
Between the pillar where the first candle was placed and the temple, there were two stone fox statues. One had its mouth closed, and the other had its mouth open. The flickering light from the candles gave their faces a mysterious appearance.
While the store clerk was lighting the candles, Magnolia took off her sarashi and put it in her storage box.
It would be a shame if they were merely praying. She needed to seduce the store clerk to get him to take her somewhere. She loosened her collar slightly to reveal more of her cleavage.
In the past, this would normally have been enough to lure someone in.
"Well then, shall we go pay our respects?"
The clerk's gaze, as he returned, clearly fixed on her chest. It appeared he had been tempted by Magnolia's allure.
"That's right."
"I'll also make the offering for you.
After placing the offering in the box, remember to bow twice, clap twice, and bow once more."
Magnolia stood to the clerk's left. Since her yukata had the left side in front, it would be easier to peek at her chest from that angle.
"That's quite a hassle."
"It's simple.
I'll make the offering now."
The clerk tossed coins into the box and bowed twice.
Clap, clap—
Magnolia clapped her hands in sync with the clerk.
It seemed the clerk was bowing with his hands together, saying a wish.
Magnolia, as usual, kept her hands in the bowing position, lowered her head, and closed her eyes. She noticed some movement beside her and saw the clerk lift his head. Despite this, Magnolia continued her prayer.
Then, she felt the clerk's gaze on her chest. It felt like he was trying to get a better look.
"What are you looking at?"
Magnolia spoke with her eyes still closed, making the clerk flustered.
"Nope, nothing in particular.
I just thought it was taking quite a while."
"Is looking inside the yukata what you do when you think it's taking a long time?"
Magnolia asked with her eyes still closed.
"Did you think I would permit this from anyone other than my lover?"
"Not really."
Magnolia deliberately chose not to listen to the clerk's response.
"By the way, I promised to become your lover until the prayer was over, didn't I?"
"Eh—"
The clerk was taken aback.
"If you were my lover, I'd allow you to look at my chest. So what do you want to do?"
Magnolia lowered the finger she had pointed at her chest, making her cleavage more visible.
The clerk audibly drew in a breath.
"Is that okay?"
The clerk's face drew closer, and his breath brushed her chest.
"What do you want to do?
Do you want to see more, or touch it? Or—"
"I-I-Is that alright?"
The clerk's hand touched her breast over her yukata.
"It's very large and feels nice to touch.
I'm happy to be able to touch it."
"Hmm, I see. If you're happy, then I'm glad too.
If it's just touching, it's fine for a bit longer."
"Thank you."
The clerk continued to touch Magnolia, lifting her breasts before gradually spreading his thumb, pretending it was accidental, and slipping it into her collar, allowing only a small part of her breast to come into direct contact.
"Hm—
Do you want to touch them directly?"
No matter how much he pretended it was accidental, Magnolia knew it was intentional. However, she didn't want to scold him.
"Uhm, is that alright?"
"If you're my lover, touching is allowed.
But I'd rather not be seen by others."
She didn't mind being touched, but Magnolia didn't want anyone else to see.
"Isn't there a good place somewhere?"
"Since it's the festival today, all lodgings are full.
As for the room Magnolia is staying in—"
"Decline, absolutely decline.
I have someone important to me. There's no way I can let you in."
Magnolia was really opposed to the idea. If she returned to the inn, Aurelius might say it was fine, but that was exactly what she wanted to avoid.
"That's indeed."
"What about your home? If you're out this late, you must be living alone."
"Yes, but it's in such a state of disarray that I can't entertain guests."
"Then there's nothing to be done. It seems we're not meant to be together."
Magnolia was ready to give up. However, the clerk didn't seem willing to give up on her.
"That's right! If it's somewhere no one will see, it should be fine.
In that case, wouldn't here be suitable?"
"Here?"
Magnolia looked around again, but beyond the four candles, there was only darkness.
"Here, no one comes."
"That's true, but—"
As an adventurer who frequently camps outside, Magnolia has of course had sex in the open air. Being embraced by Arelius under the starry sky is a cherished memory. However, that was in a secluded field, and she has no experience with such activities in a town setting.
Still, Magnolia would be in trouble if she didn't receive semen within today or tomorrow.
If indeed no one would come, she thought it might be alright to proceed here.