HI3: I Don't Want to Be a Valkyrie

"Equip stigmata? Is that it?" Cellinia, taken aback, stared in amazement at Rozaliya.

It wasn't just Cellinia—the cat-eared Skyfire, horse-eared Platinum, and rabbit-eared Savage all gazed at Rozaliya with equal astonishment.

So it was just a misunderstanding after all.

Of course—how could the adorable Rozaliya and Liliya possibly be into that sort of thing... It was clear that Cellinia and the others had been harboring rather filthy thoughts.

But then... why did she feel a subtly lingering sense of disappointment within her?

"What? Where did you think I was going with this?" Rozaliya stared blankly at Cellinia.

"Oh, nothing... So these in Lady Rozaliya's hand are stigmata? Are they like the red markings on your and Lady Liliana's backs?" Cellinia asked, her memory jogging back to the times she had often served the twins, when she had become familiar with the stigmata markings on their backs.

"Hmm, it's just that... This is a very special item that can instantly enhance your power. Come, come here, I'll equip you!" Rozaliya glanced at Liliya, who was slacking off to the side, but said nothing.

Let her be a bit lazy.

"But such a precious thing... why would you give it to me? I already have the weapon Lady Liliya bestowed upon me, and I am truly content with it."

"As my follower, your strength is rather lacking. Don't refuse now. Moreover... once you're equipped with the Stigmata, you'll bear a unique mark belonging to both me and Liliya. Are you certain you don't want it?" In this world, only she possessed these holy marks, serving as a distinctive identifier.

"I do! Please equip me with the Stigmata, Lady Rozaliya." Cellinia understood that by receiving the Stigmata, she would be marked by both Lady Rozaliya and Lady Liliya, solidifying her true allegiance to them. It was essential to accept this blessing.

"Alright, stand still."

"Yes, ma'am."

Cellinia approached Rozaliya, turning her bare back towards her lady.

-

Cellinia could be considered a swordsman, and the Sakamoto Ryoma set provided her with considerable benefits, especially since it had already been upgraded to its maximum potential.

The full set—Sakamoto Ryoma Upper, Middle, and Lower—each increased her attack power, totaling nearly a 100% boost to her physical attack.

Additionally, the set's overall attribute granted immunity to negative status effects, which proved invaluable in this hybrid Japanese-fantasy world.

Rozaliya skillfully equipped all three Stigmata pieces onto Cellinia's back. Gazing at the three red stigmata marks against her pristine white skin, she nodded with satisfaction.

"Cellinia, how does it feel?"

"It's like there's a surge of energy flowing from my back into my entire body. I'm not quite sure how to describe it, but I feel significantly stronger than before." Cellinia pondered for a moment, her description vague yet evocative.

"Take some time to acclimate to this newfound power," Rozaliya advised. "It will take a while to fully understand its capabilities."

"It..." Cellinia began earnestly nodding, but suddenly felt something stir within her, causing her face to flush instantly with embarrassment. "... is so... oh, Lady Rozaliya, you..."

"Hm? Are you that sensitive?"

Rozaliya stood at the edge of the bed, playfully tugging on Cellinia's lupine ears.

"Oh god... it's... it's painfully ticklish, Lady Rozaliya," Cellinia responded, blushing deeply.

"Is it?" Rozaliya, intrigued by Cellinia's reaction, tugged a little more.

"Eek..." Cellinia crumbled to the floor, her gray wolf tail flicking incessantly.

"Wolves are that sensitive?" Rozaliya puzzled over this... And what would be more natural than to take hold of that wagging tail?

"...Lady Rozaliya."

Cellinia gave her an exasperated look.

"Alright, alright..."

Rozaliya released the tail, feeling a little bewildered. After all, her own tail felt just like her arm—solid and unremarkable.

-

"Next, Skyfire!"

"Yes, Lady Rozaliya!" The cat-eared girl blushed as she approached Rozaliya, turning her back to the mistress.

"Compared to wolves... my cat ears are even more sensitive, so... so please don't play with... with me, okay?" Skyfire nervously pleaded.

"Hold on, what am I, some kind of monster?"

"Good to hear..."

Rozaliya inspected Skyfire for a moment before taking out an unenhanced three-star relic set - Asai Chacha.

Unlike Cellinia, the three girls should be given three-star relics first.

The Asai Chacha set increased fire damage, improved speed and defense, making it very suitable for Skyfire.

Of course... the Higokumaru set might have been even more suitable, but given their current relationship, Rozaliya couldn't possibly give her such a valuable five-star relic.

The Asai Chacha set was quite good enough.

Although she promised not to play with Skyfire's ears, once the girl was properly outfitted, Rozaliya couldn't resist giving her cat tail a few gentle tugs.

As she lifted the tail, she couldn't help but notice the panties peeking out beneath Skyfire's skirt.

"Lady Rozaliya!" Skyfire instantly exploded in indignation.

"All right, all right! See, I didn't touch your ears, did I?" Rozaliya hastily released her tail.

-

After equipping Savage and Platinum with appropriate sets of three-star Stigmata,

the girls rushed over to the mirror, examining the Stigma patterns on their backs with newfound curiosity.

Once they had dressed, Rozaliya sent them outside to acclimate to the power of their Stigmata.

She then returned directly to her bed, cradling her younger sister Liliya as she continued her rest.

-

The next day,they arranged for a larger dragon carriage that could comfortably seat six.

Finally, the six of them left the Demi-human Kingdom and headed towards the human nation of Cronis Eagle Kingdom.

Traveling from the Demi-human Kingdom to the Cronis Eagle Kingdom by dragon carriage would take just over a day. They'd have to camp out in the wilderness for a night along the way.

So, they prepared tents for everyone.

As for the driver, he had a spare small tent for himself.

Since they wouldn't be returning to the Demi-human Kingdom anytime soon this time, they hired a driver instead of renting a carriage with an included driver.

The driver was a young demi-human with squirrel-like ears and a tail, but he stood at less than four feet tall.

-

"My esteemed ladies, night is falling, and we're surrounded by forests with no place to stay nearby. Should we try to find a spot nearby to camp for the night?"

As Rozaliya and Liliya, seated close together inside the dragon carriage, were about to doze off, the coachman's voice suddenly echoed from outside.

"Ah... oh, very well!" Rozaliya shook her head slightly and peered out the window. Indeed, there was no sign of any inhabitants around.