The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 107 I'm Going to Take a Shower (Please Subscribe!)

Removing the armor was no easy task.

Tang Qi finally breathed a sigh of relief after he had removed the last shirt from Chen Xi's body.

He now finally understood why knights always had a squire by their side—

Wearing plate armor does not mean that it is just a layer of iron shell on the outside.

After the binding straps were untied, a cotton-padded coat was then revealed.

Beneath the cotton coat was a close-fitting chainmail, and finally, a warm inner lining...

Even with the combined efforts of two people, it took a full twenty minutes to completely remove the burr.

The pale, smooth body covered with mushrooms was thus revealed before my eyes.

Tang Qi removed the last piece of his chest binder and couldn't help but say:
"Why is it dented? Is the body less resilient?"

He reached out and pinched Chenxi's shoulder, observing as he did so, and found that the skin was indeed dented from the pressure.
"Okay, lie down on the bed."

Chenxi hesitated for a moment until she met Tang Qi's urging gaze, then slowly lay down on the bed.

Tang Qi approached and discovered that although the headless paladin remained silent, the black mist around her neck betrayed her true feelings—

He had never seen a volcanic eruption in his life, and seeing the billowing steam now was a dream come true.

Are you that nervous?

Tang Qi asked, somewhat puzzled, then patted Chenxi's knee.
"Don't bend your knees to support your legs, keep your legs flat."

She obeyed and did as she was told, but the black mist erupted even more vigorously.

Tang Qi was even more puzzled:

Why open such a branch road?

"I thought this would be more convenient."

"What's so convenient about it—"

Tang Qi answered subconsciously, then paused, taken aback.

He suddenly remembered what that pose, which resembled the letter [M], meant...

What are you thinking!?

Tang Qi couldn't help but say,

"Do you think my reputation is that bad? What kind of person do you take me for?"

"I'm sorry, but I've noticed you're often with Miss Catherine..."

When did you watch it?

“I rely on my soul to discern the environment. And since I often keep watch at night, it is difficult for me not to pay attention to you.”

Tang Qi slapped his forehead and sighed:

"Okay, but I had you remove your armor so I could help you remove the mushrooms—you don't really want those mushrooms to stay on you forever, do you?"

Although the spores eventually withdrew the 'mushroom' they used to parasitize Dawn after negotiating with Tang Qi, leaving only a small part on her wrist so they could communicate with Tang Qi later.

However, these 'houses' themselves still need to be removed by human intervention.

Upon hearing Tang Qi's explanation, Chen Xi realized that she had misunderstood, and the black mist gushing from her neck calmed down.

But she also felt that it wasn't entirely her fault.

Tang Qi's behavior so far...

Indeed a poet.

"Please."

Tang Qi sat on the edge of the bed and began pulling out the overgrown mushrooms one by one, starting from her neck.

As a [Fleshly Golem], Dawn does not bleed, but the necromantic power flowing through her body becomes the mushrooms' favorite nourishment, causing some black slime to seep out when the mushrooms are pulled out.

This magic seemed to have also affected the mushrooms, turning their roots grayish-black.

"As expected of an excellent alchemical material, its adaptability is so strong."

Even Tang Qi couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

The essence of alchemy is to fuse various materials together to create a different or even entirely new substance.

This in itself implies that alchemical materials possess their own inherent characteristics.

For example, incandescent glue is made by mixing oily and fiery materials with other properties.

Perfect alchemical materials, on the other hand, represent their nature of being [attributeless].

Just as people can give color to a blank sheet of paper, turning it into a painting.

It can also be folded and cut to create 'paper sculpture'.

Because it has no attributes, it can fuse with any characteristic, thus 'mutating' upon contact with necromantic energy.

This gives it endless possibilities—

That effect, which is similar to [Dark Magic], is derived from this.

It's no wonder that in the few months since it appeared out of nowhere, it has inspired countless adventurers to venture deep into the dungeon and dream of striking it rich.

"I wonder how much these materials I have can sell for. I'll check with the Adventurers' Guild after martial law is lifted..."

As drowsiness grew stronger, Tang Qi's movements became faster.

While pulling out the mushrooms, I filled them with a small amount of restorative glue to heal the remaining holes.

The dents that were previously pinched became smoother as the restorative adhesive was incorporated.

This is hardly a good thing for Tang Qi.

Although this is a headless body.

But humans are associative creatures.

Just like the girls in those brothels, they often drape a layer of silk or a veil over their bodies.

Because when people see short sleeves, they immediately think of bare arms, then the torso, then bathing, and finally, illegitimate children...

While the dawn may lack a head, it offers more room for imagination.

Tang Qi hadn't paid much attention to it before because the mushrooms had grown there.

Now look at that black mist swirling around my neck...

It's so appealing no matter how you look at it.

This made him cough lightly twice to ease his embarrassment, and then he asked:

"Why did you do that?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well—I saw you just now, well, anyway, you seemed really skilled at it."

“I once ventured alone into an orc camp—they often abducted large numbers of women to increase their population and placed them in the nursery of their lair.”

While rescuing innocent victims, I inadvertently glimpsed their actions.

Whenever Chenxi recalls her past honors, she always has a lot to say.

She even turned her body slightly to face Tang Qi.

Tang Qi could tell at a glance that she wanted him to say something:
"So you've saved so many innocent women? Chenxi, you're incredibly strong."

Sure enough, the black mist that had been emanating from the neck soon began to surge and churn.

Tang Qi then asked, "So you're just going to accept it like that? Isn't that a bit too casual?"

"Please forgive my selfishness. In my hesitation, I wondered if this would earn me your leniency when I put pen to paper."

"Impossible, I only record the facts."

"I think so too. But my life is in your hands, and I have no right to resist—"

Since we cannot resist it, we can only regard it as a challenge.

I face challenges fearlessly, and that courage will become a badge of honor for me.

"..."

It's hard to say whether this kind of thinking is a good thing for Chenxi.

But at least for Tang Qi, it wasn't bad.

What's the difference between this and not refusing?
It even carries a hint of eagerness to embrace the challenge?

Tang Qi was already wondering if taking a shower before bed would help him sleep better.

"Dong dong."

A knock on the door interrupted his reverie.

It's Catherine's voice:
"Tang Qi, Mr. Chuck said you're back, so I was wondering if you'd like some breakfast?"

For a fleeting moment, Tang Qi felt like a cat that had stolen some fish.

Although his limited sense of morality failed to condemn him, it did dissuade him from going further.

She chose to spread the blanket over Chenxi, and then responded:
"Ah—I'm fine, not very hungry."

Catherine seemed to really want him to have breakfast.

Or perhaps, she hopes to have breakfast with him.

So I couldn't help but say a little more:
"Today's breakfast is [egg-filled toast], which is said to be a classic dish for halflings—"

Mix cheese, vanilla, and walnuts into a sauce, fill it into soft bread slices, coat them with egg wash, fry them, and finally sift powdered sugar on the toast and drizzle with maple syrup.

However, mine was spread with plum jam, which I felt gave it a richer flavor. Would you like to try it too?

"No, no need. I've been busy all night and I'm very tired. I just want to sleep... Don't worry about me, you guys enjoy your food."

"Ok."

Catherine, standing outside the door, seemed somewhat disappointed, then asked in confusion,
"By the way, why don't I see Miss Chenxi?"

She said she would be guarding the door at all times, so there was no need to arrange a separate room.

Didn't they come back with you?

"she--"

Tang Qi glanced at Chen Xi, whose neck was gushing black mist and who seemed quite flustered, and replied,
"Maybe she went out for a walk to clear her head, don't worry about her."

"so……"

"In short, that shop is no longer 'haunted,' so you can rent it today without worry and start preparing for the renovations."

I'll tell you the details after I wake up; I'm really sleepy right now.

"Okay, then you should get some rest."

Tang Qi only breathed a sigh of relief after the footsteps outside the door faded away.

Only then did Chenxi dare to speak her mind:

"Why do I suddenly get nervous...?"

Tang Qi found it difficult to describe this feeling.

It's like the fear of being suddenly woken up from behind when you're secretly sleeping in class.

But soon he discovered that he was well past the age of going to school.

Even if we bump into each other, what does it really matter?

They are innocent and did nothing wrong.

Well, we haven't done anything yet.

Moreover, I had already clearly stated the 'disclaimer' beforehand.

It was just an instinctive urge to keep it a secret.

In any case, the romantic mood from before had been abruptly interrupted, and Tang Qi no longer had any intention of taking things further.
“I’ll help you get dressed. If Catherine asks you where you went afterward, just make up any excuse.”

"for example?"

"Any excuse will do—find a secluded place to shower or clear your head, anything will do. But I doubt she'll ask you directly."

After pulling Chenxi out of bed and spending another twenty minutes helping her put on her plate armor again, Tang Qi finally breathed heavily, wiping away sweat, and prepared to send the headless knight out the door.

So he opened the door:
"Squeak-"

He was greeted by Catherine's kind smile.

Tang Qi was taken aback, only then realizing that she hadn't left at all!

Just as he was about to explain something, Chenxi, as if overly nervous, preemptively triggered some switch and explained:

"I just... went to take a shower."

Catherine's smile seemed a little kinder:
"Take a bath?"

Although there was a 'liability waiver' beforehand, when he actually found himself in the middle of a chaotic situation, Tang Qi couldn't help but clench his toes, feeling extremely embarrassed.

"Well, actually it's like this..."

"No, you don't need to explain."

Catherine shook her head, still smiling.

"I'm not your wife. Wouldn't it seem strange if you tried to explain it?"

"You're right."

Tang Qi realized that perhaps he was overthinking things.

His relationship with Catherine was simply that of 'bath buddies,' and he didn't need to explain anything about it.

Obviously, Catherine thinks so too, so she doesn't seem jealous...right?

This reassured him a little, and he was about to close the door:
"Then I'll rest first?"

Catherine walked straight into the room:
"Wait, I have something to tell you."

Then, with a "bang," the door was shut out of Chenxi.

Tang Qi looked at the smiling girl who decisively locked the door, feeling somewhat strange and even nervous.
"Anything else?"

Before he could finish speaking, Catherine shoved him forcefully backward, knocking him onto the bed.

"What are you doing?!"

In astonishment and disbelief, he watched as the linen dress fell to the ground.

The warm morning sun shone through the window and onto the girl's hair, making the wine-red color appear even more fiery.

Her tone left no room for argument:

"bath."

(End of this chapter)