"Skyship? You want a skyship?!"

Yurei Amamiya had just calmed down after clearing things up, but hearing Albel’s demand nearly made her explode again.

"Yeah."

Albel shrugged. Since Verdandi’s Instant Teleportation was unusable now, flying to the Imperial Capital would be the fastest option.

"S-skyships? Such expensive, rare things? H-how could I possibly give you one? Even my family only has a single skyship."

Yurei Amamiya stammered, never expecting Albel to ask for something so outrageous.

Why not just rob me instead?

"Well, if there’s no skyship, I’ll take you then. Find a carriage and pull me to the Imperial Capital like a horse."

Albel waved dismissively. Didn’t you promise any reward I wanted earlier? Now you’re backing out, little girl?

"So, Mr. Albel is heading to the Imperial Capital?"

Shenluo World, who’d been sitting quietly beside Yurei Amamiya, blinked and smiled after hearing Albel’s words.

"That’s right."

Albel nodded. To lift Alicia’s restrictions, he had to steal back the Holy Maiden contract from the Light Sanctuary in the Imperial Capital.

"What a coincidence."

Shenluo World covered her mouth, giggling softly, then continued. "I’m also traveling to the Imperial Capital tomorrow for family business at headquarters. It’s a long journey—care to join me?"

"Sure. Skyship or not, as long as we reach the Imperial Capital."

Albel agreed. With Verdandi’s Instant Teleportation, a skyship wasn’t crucial anyway—just a special case now.

"Then it’s settled. Depart around this time tomorrow?"

Shenluo World stood and extended her hand to Albel.

"Deal."

Albel shook her hand. The transport issue was resolved.

"Phew… One big problem solved."

After Shenluo World and Yurei Amamiya left, Albel lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, relieved. Reaching the destination meant the Light Sanctuary headquarters would feel like empty space to him.

"Let’s hope so."

Verdandi murmured to herself. Cities with Light Sanctuaries blocked teleportation, and she had a bad feeling something major was coming.

"Let’s rest today. But first, we need that body check."

Albel suddenly remembered the interrupted check-up from earlier. He perked up, jumped out of bed, and started searching for Alicia.

"N-no! I’ll have Verdandi check me instead!"

Alicia had just sighed in relief, thinking Albel forgot. His words made her tense up instantly.

"Hey, what’s there to be shy about? I’ve already seen your whole body, haven’t I?"

Albel rolled his eyes. We’re practically married, and you’re still playing coy?

"T-then I was unconscious! I d-didn’t agree to it!"

Alicia retorted, frowning. She still didn’t know what he’d done while she was out. Just thinking about it made her cheeks burn.

"But that doesn’t change the fact I’ve seen you."

Albel shrugged. First time or second, what’s the difference?

"I refuse."

Alicia crossed her arms over her chest and stepped back, fearing he’d force her clothes off.

"Alright, bro. Girl stuff—boys step out."

Verdandi spun Albel around and pushed him toward the door while he tried to argue.

"Verdandi, you weren’t like this before. You used to cling to me, but now you’re shoving me out? I’m so disappointed."

Albel stood at the door, pained, facing Verdandi blocking his way.

"I still cling to you, big brother. I’m just stopping you from becoming a pervert."

Verdandi planted her hands on her hips, lecturing like the older sister.

"You call me a pervert? I bathed you when you were little!"

Albel slapped his face. Damn it—my sister called me a pervert.

"If you say one more filthy thing, big brother, I’ll teleport you to a room full of gay guys."

Verdandi’s cheeks flushed as she glared, looking adorably fierce.

"Don’t worry. They can’t catch me."

Albel shook his head smugly. Even surrounded by them, they couldn’t touch a hair on his head—his passive ability wasn’t for show.

"Hmph! No peeking, anyway!"

Verdandi, losing the argument, slammed the door shut.

"Sigh. Sisters grow up and stop listening to their brothers."

Albel sighed. Might as well wander town to kill time. Lingering here might get him arrested as a creep.

"Alusa?"

Turning the hallway corner, he spotted Alusa climbing the stairs.

"Al."

Alusa’s eyes flickered away at first sight of him, then she smiled sweetly.

"How did your errand go today?"

Albel recalled she’d handled her own business alone. He wondered if it went smoothly.

"Hmm, perfectly resolved."

Alusa nodded, smiling but not elaborating.

"That’s good."

Albel didn’t pry. He changed the subject. "Oh, Alusa—I’m heading to the Imperial Capital to retrieve something. Want to come?"

He briefly explained his plan with Shenluo World. He wanted to get along with this elf girl.

"When do we leave?"

Alusa hesitated but asked anyway.

"Around this time tomorrow. By skyship, we’ll arrive in two days."

Albel estimated based on Shenluo World’s details and his skyship knowledge. Two days would suffice.

"No problem. I’ve always wanted to see the human Imperial Capital."

Alusa paused, then smiled at him.

"Great. Settled."

Albel nodded happily. His plan to win over Alusa was finally moving.

Meeting her made him forget his walk. They walked back to the room door together.

"Sister Alicia, take off your top."

Verdandi’s voice came from inside. Alusa’s cheeks flushed crimson.

"Do we need the top? Just the skirt should work."

Alicia’s voice followed.

"Better to strip completely. I can check thoroughly that way."

"O-okay."

"Sister Alicia, your skin is so smooth."

"V-verdandi’s is nice too."

"But the most likely spot is probably here."

"V-verdandi, don’t suddenly touch there!"

"Just looking won’t help. Let’s do a deeper check."

"W-will it hurt?"

"Don’t worry. I’m quite skilled at this."

Outside, Alusa trembled upon hearing them.

"A-al, are your sister and Alicia… like that?"

She stared at Albel, incredulous. After one morning out, Alicia was doing this with his sister? Was the Holy Maiden bi?

"You’re mistaken, it’s—"

Albel heard the conversation and admitted he’d first misinterpreted it too. But he knew it was just a body check. He tried explaining, but was cut off.

"Verdandi, even as girls, this is embarrassing."

"What’s the big deal? I do this with my brother all the time."

Verdandi’s casual tone reached Alusa. Smoke seemed to puff from the elf girl’s head.

"A-a-a-a-al, you… you do that with your sister?!"

Alusa whirled to face him, too flustered to speak. This guy didn’t spare even his sister—he was insane.

"You’ve got it wrong! I’d never do that with my sister. I don’t want German orthopedics!"

Albel shook his head hard. Alusa completely misunderstood. Nothing beyond sibling bonds existed with Verdandi.

"T-then why are they saying such things?"

Alusa pointed at the door, whispering so the pair inside wouldn’t hear them eavesdropping.

"I told you, you’re interpreting it wrong."

Albel, seeing she still didn’t get it, reached to open the door and show her.

Before his hand touched it, the door swung open. Verdandi stood there, exasperated, sighing at Albel and Alusa.

"What exactly are you two doing?"