Simulator in Type-moon, Starting with becoming Morgan husband!

Chapter 111. Being Bathed and Served by Minamoto no Raikou

"How did you find a place like this?"

Ian looked at the waterfall in front of him and the stream flowing beneath it, somewhat surprised.

At first, he thought Minamoto no Raikou was just speaking casually, but he didn't expect her to actually lead him to a place he had never seen before.

"This morning, while preparing those things for Master, I happened to find it."

"I felt this was a very suitable place for bathing, so I kept it in mind."

Minamoto no Raikou looked at the scenery before her and replied as such.

[You know that Minamoto no Raikou is not lying.]

[But at the same time, you also feel that something is not right with this waterfall.]

[Talent "Worry Heart" has activated: The changes of mountains and rivers are never random—many secrets are hidden within. You sense that something is approaching.]

[However, you do not speak up.]

[Because compared to that matter, there is something else you want to know more.]

"Master, please raise your arms a little."

"So that I can wipe your body more easily."

"Umu."

Ian slowly raised his arms, keeping his shoulders straight in a horizontal line, looking no different from a scarecrow standing in the middle of a field.

Immediately after, a pair of fair, slender hands slipped under his armpits, and with just a slight movement, they removed the loose robe.

A voice full of admiration rang out right after.

"Master, you must have a habit of training, don't you?"

"Even though you are an Onmyouji, your physique is in no way inferior to that of a warrior."

"If you were to join a military corps, you might even become a renowned general."

"Is that so?"

Ian let out a faint wry smile.

"Unfortunately, I am just an Onmyouji."

"That doesn't matter."

Minamoto no Raikou looked at the man's back before her.

"What I need is someone like you, in the capacity of an Onmyouji."

She rolled up her sleeves and dipped the prepared towel into the water to soften it.

"Master, if you feel uncomfortable, please let me know immediately."

Right after speaking, Minamoto no Raikou gently wiped Ian's arm with the towel.

"May I ask if the pressure is alright?"

"Umu, just right."

[You did not intentionally praise Minamoto no Raikou.]

[As a warrior, she has an exquisitely delicate heart that contrasts sharply with her bravery.]

[You can even sense that the towel she prepared beforehand had been infused with medicinal herbs.]

[A fragrance that soothes both body and mind.]

[This is definitely not something that could be thought of on a whim.]

[You realize that perhaps from the moment she followed you back, Minamoto no Raikou had already started planning certain things.]

[And this place is the answer to her thoughts.]

The towel glided over the man's arm, leaving behind moist trails of water.

Minamoto no Raikou was extremely careful in every action.

This was how she expressed her "respect" towards her master.

Even though he knew she had ulterior motives, Ian still couldn't help but feel a little touched by such sincerity.

"Raikou."

"I am here, Master."

"You said that you want to kill demons, didn't you?"

Hearing Ian ask that, Minamoto no Raikou's hands briefly paused but quickly returned to normal.

"That's right, Master, I want to kill demons."

"To be precise, not just demons, but all other strange phenomena—I want to eliminate them as well."

"That's quite the ambition," Ian commented.

"But an ambition like that surely isn't just a passing thought, is it?"

"Raikou, I still haven't heard you formally introduce your origins—coming from the capital, and bearing such a noble surname, you must have quite the reputation, don't you?"

"..."

Minamoto no Raikou remained silent for a moment but did not avoid the question.

She gently took Ian's other hand and wiped it clean with the towel just as delicately as before.

"As Master said, my surname is not something commoners can possess."

"I am the eldest legitimate daughter of the Seiwa Genji clan, carrying the mission of revitalizing my family."

"This pressure forces me to act."

Ian, although he had never actively researched the status of "Seiwa Genji," could easily guess from Minamoto no Raikou's proud tone that she was deeply proud of it.

If he followed this line of reasoning, this was certainly not a minor family.

"The eldest legitimate daughter?"

"No wonder you handle everything so thoroughly."

"You flatter me, Master."

"This is not a compliment." Ian changed his tone. "It's concern."

"If you truly bear such a mission on your shoulders, then you should also understand that someone like me cannot do anything for you."

"You should seek someone who can help you strategize, not an Onmyouji like me."

"Unless—"

"You are hiding something from me."

[Your intention was very clear.]

[You believed in the origins Minamoto no Raikou had shared, but at the same time, you saw that it had nothing to do with an Onmyouji like yourself.]

[If she wanted to continue this conversation, she needed to provide a sufficiently convincing explanation.]

[Minamoto no Raikou was not foolish.]

[She quickly understood what you meant.]

"Master, as expected, I cannot hide anything from you."

Minamoto no Raikou let go of Ian's hand and began wiping his back.

"That's right."

"You are not wrong."

"I did not come seeking you merely because of the rumors of your name in the capital."

"That makes sense then." Ian was not angry at all.

"Then—"

"What exactly made you travel so far to find a penniless man like me?"

"A dream."

While wiping Ian's back, Minamoto no Raikou answered.

"A dream?"

"That's right, a grand dream."

Minamoto no Raikou's violet eyes reflected the image of the vision overflowing in her mind.

"The contents of the dream are long, and perhaps Master would not be interested."

"So I will simplify it—I foresaw the existence of certain 'abnormalities' that I must eliminate."

"If I were to face them purely as a warrior, that would be nothing but foolishness."

"But Master—"

Minamoto no Raikou looked at the man before her.

"You are the one who holds this hope for me."

[You did not doubt Minamoto no Raikou's words.]

[Because they made perfect sense.]

[The eldest legitimate daughter of the Seiwa Genji family, preparing in advance due to an omen in a dream, in case she could not personally accomplish the great mission of revitalizing her clan.]

[Though somewhat pragmatic, this was also a sign of responsibility.]

[After all, it was always better to be prepared than to act only when disaster struck.]

"So, this is the reason you are so determined to have me teach you?"

"That's right."

Minamoto no Raikou did not hide her thoughts at all.

"As the eldest daughter of Seiwa Genji, of course, I must show respect to an Onmyouji like you."

"Only by doing so can I truly comprehend the truth of this field."

"..."

Seeing that Ian did not respond, Minamoto no Raikou did not press him.

Her graceful figure slowly removed her outer robe, leaving only the layer of clothing that fit snugly to her body, before she gently stepped into the pool of water she had found earlier.

Her long, beautiful purple hair floated lightly on the water's surface, resembling willow branches hanging down.

"Pardon my discourtesy, Master."

Minamoto no Raikou said, then stood in the water, gently wiping the man's chest before her.

Her movements were still meticulous and gentle, without a trace of the forcefulness of a warrior.

Her fingers pressed against the towel in her hand, letting it glide softly over Ian's chest, leaving behind the familiar wet trails.

"Master's body is truly solid."

Minamoto no Raikou felt the stone-like sensation transmitted through her fingertips.

"Even if you were merely a laborer, you would still carry the presence of a leader, wouldn't you?"

"Then why are you in this situation now?"

[You were not the only one speaking with hidden meaning.]

[Minamoto no Raikou was also filled with questions about your current circumstances.]

[This was entirely understandable.]

[In her eyes, you were a renowned Grand Onmyouji, someone whose status was known throughout Heian's capital.]

[And yet, now you lived in a rundown house, struggling even with daily life.]

[Anyone with a brain would undoubtedly find this puzzling.]

"Then—"

Ian looked directly at Minamoto no Raikou before him.

"What kind of life do you think I should be living?"

"..."

Minamoto no Raikou thought for a moment before answering:

"With a status like yours, at the very least, you should be someone with a resounding reputation, revered by thousands."

"If not that, then you should at least be living a life of luxury in a grand mansion."

Hearing these words, Ian smiled in response.

"Raikou, it seems you hold me in very high regard."

"Aren't you afraid that your expectations will turn into disappointment?"

"If expectations fade, then there will be plans to follow."

Minamoto no Raikou calmly replied.

"Master need not worry about me—you also know well that I am not someone who acts on impulse."

"..."

Ian did not respond to Minamoto no Raikou.

But she was not surprised.

After all, this was not the first time he had remained silent like this.

"In any case—"

"Master, please allow me to fulfill what I have promised."

"What has begun must have an end."

After speaking, Minamoto no Raikou looked straight at Ian.

It was very clear.

She was waiting for the approval of the man before her—for the final step of the bathing ritual.

If he were to refuse at this moment, perhaps this warrior woman would truly give up.

[But you have no intention of doing so.]

[Because your nature is the same as Minamoto no Raikou's—you are someone who values completion.]

[So, before her request, you do not intend to refuse.]

"I understand." Ian nodded slightly.

"Then, let everything begin and end in completion."

"Thank you, Master, for granting this."

As soon as she finished speaking, Minamoto no Raikou's hands left Ian's chest.

She sank down.

Her slender, pale hands gently stirred the water, creating two ripples, while the soft, wet towel blended into the water like a fish swimming into the sea.

It glided through the clear water, graceful and skillful.

Just as Minamoto no Raikou had promised, this change would complete the final step of the ritual.

This was the purpose of their coming here.

To reach the end.

Beneath the water, they achieved a contact like a contract.

Minamoto no Raikou's face turned slightly red.

"Master, you are indeed extraordinary."

"Even in this cold water, you still bring warmth like the sun."

"Raikou."

Ian looked at her, his gaze steady.

"Is this enough now?"

"The ritual has been completed in full."

"Continuing further will not be good for your reputation."

"No." Minamoto no Raikou shook her head.

"Master, I believe I have already said this."

"Anything that is done must have a beginning and an end—cutting off a story with a hasty ending is something I hate the most."

"Furthermore, please rest assured."

"There exists no improper relationship between us, so there is no need to worry about reputation."

"..."

Ian remained silent.

And this silence was a tacit approval of Minamoto no Raikou's actions.

Everything seemed to have become an unspoken understanding between the two.

The soft towel drifted in the water, occasionally stirring small whirlpools.

Precious gems, carefully polished, gradually took on a perfect form.

The warmth spreading through fingertips gathered into a legend that would endure through the ages.

"Master."

Minamoto no Raikou continued to express her sincerity.

She felt the interplay of cold and warmth in the water, then softly spoke.

"You have wandered outside for long enough."

"If you don't mind, perhaps you should stop for a while and leave behind some traces of yourself."

"..."

"Raikou." Ian looked at her, his gaze settling on her shoulder, which touched the edge of the bath tiles.

"Do you know what these words mean?"

"I do."

Minamoto no Raikou gave a gentle smile and replied.

"For me, to be the one who records Master's past is also a way to show my 'respect' for you."

"..."

Ian did not respond directly.

But his lack of refusal spoke louder than any words.

The water beneath the warrior woman's fingertips rippled once again.

The towel floated up to the surface.

In the union of cold and heat, the Grand Onmyouji's sacred artifact had been enlightened.

Heaven and earth became one, converging at a single point.

Black and white interwove, breaking the stillness of the water's surface.

All results were displayed on Minamoto no Raikou's face—clearly, yet filled with warmth.

She closed her eyes, feeling the currents beneath the water.

Until they brushed past her flushed cheeks;

Until they hovered at her chin, pulling into silver threads;

Until they fell into the water, blooming into radiant flowers.

"Master."

Minamoto no Raikou, still with her eyes closed, carried the joy of having fulfilled her promise.

"You still hold expectations for this world, don't you?"

"I can feel it—so please, do not deny this thought within yourself."

"You're the Honored One, how could you remain hidden in a decaying house forever?"

Ian looked at Minamoto no Raikou—she held no resentment, and in fact, appeared content.

He fell into deep thought.

A long time later, Ian finally spoke again.

"Raikou."

"Do you truly want to learn how to slay demons from me?"

"Of course."

Minamoto no Raikou, still with her eyes closed, solemnly answered.

"My desire for Master should be more than clear by now, shouldn't it?"

"I understand."

Ian gently touched Minamoto no Raikou's hand.

"Then—"

"Tonight, wait with me."

"Before we leave this place, there is still something I must do for the villagers."

"And you, will also see what you need to learn."

(note: umm, I'm not sure why, but... I felt enlightened while translating this chapter)