Chapter 82
Reina was standing right in front of him.
She was dressed in a shameless, improper outfit unbecoming of a Saint.
"Lord Clael?"
"Ah, no... It's nothing. I'm fine."
Clael was dumbfounded by the sight of Reina wearing a leaf bikini, but after a few seconds of frozen shock, he rebooted his brain.
With his face flushed bright red, he lowered his gaze and decided he couldn't just ignore it, so he spoke up.
"Um... Reina. Don't you think that outfit is a bit indecent?"
"Is it? I didn't bring a change of clothes, and I wanted to dry my underwear... Was that not okay?"
Reina tilted her head.
A dress and underwear were hanging from a tree branch a bit away, apparently drying.
He should have realized it earlier, when Reina said she wanted to swim.
Since they had left their belongings on the boat, of course she wouldn't have a change of clothes.
"Well, it's not really a problem... but, um, rescuers might come, and if they see you like that..."
"It's not a problem. The Holy Spirits are watching the island, so they'll let us know as soon as help arrives."
"I-I see..."
"It's fine if it's Lord Clael who sees me."
"............"
Clael was a man too... but he couldn't let Reina, so pure, know that her parental figure was seeing her as a woman.
(If she misunderstood and thought the man acting like her father or brother was feeling lust, it would ruin the trust we've built...)
"Ah—well, in that case, it's not a problem."
That was all he could say.
Clael cleared his throat, composed himself, and picked up the fallen tree branch.
"Let's make a campfire. If a ship passes nearby and sees the smoke, they might come."
"Ah, okay. What about a firestarter...?"
"Use that ring."
Clael looked at the ring on Reina's left ring finger.
The 'Crimson Sun Ring' nullifies damage from fire-based attacks and greatly boosts magical offense and defense.
Furthermore, when used as a tool, it can cast fire magic.
"Ah, it really works. The fire's started!"
"Yes, thank you."
Clael lit the arranged branches, and red flames and black smoke rose up.
"I had no idea the ring I got from the Queen of Spirits had such power... Lord Clael, you knew all about it."
"Ah—well, I read about that ring in a book a long time ago. It's said to be imbued with the blessing of the spirits."
"I see, as expected of you."
Reina's unreserved praise made him feel oddly guilty.
Incidentally, the 'Blue Moon Ring' that Clael was wearing also nullified water-based damage, increased magical offense and defense, and could cast water magic when used as a tool.
"It looks like we can leave the campfire as is..."
"Then, Lord Clael, let's change and go swimming too!"
Reina held out a large leaf.
Surely she didn't mean for him to stick that to his groin... Clael's facial muscles twitched.
"I-I'll just swim in my underwear, so I'm fine..."
"I see..."
For some reason, Reina looked a little disappointed.
Thinking it was just his imagination, Clael shook his head and stripped off his shirt and pants.
"Alright then, let's swim! I'm sure the sea feels amazing!"
"Wah...!"
Pulled by Reina's hand, Clael was dragged into the sea.
When they first washed up on the deserted island, he had no idea what would happen... but having the whole vast beach to themselves felt like an incredible luxury.
Clael and Reina fully enjoyed their private beach until the sun went down.