Chapter 29: If It Was to Help a Friend, Wouldn’t I Have Gladly Done It? I’m a Man Who Repays Favors — A Man of Loyalty

"Treating you was really tough, Kazu. Not only Ebony-san and Ivory-san, but I also almost completely used up my mana and aura."

As he said this, Yuri was wearing an open-collared khaki combat uniform. He also favored combat uniforms as everyday wear.

"The chances of you being saved were pretty low, but..."

While tearing a meat pie into bite-sized pieces, Yuri continued.

"Because we had not only Ebony-san and Ivory-san’s mana and aura, but also mine while I was in the Leona state, we somehow managed to save you."

When feminized by Leonization, as long as the original level is 70 or below, the level rises by around 30. While in the Leona state, Yuri’s level had exceeded 30, allowing him to use mana and aura far beyond his original ability.

The level-up effect only lasts about six hours. After six hours pass, even while still feminized, the level drops to half of the original level, and it does not return to normal until the user reverts to male.

When the level during feminization approaches the upper 60s, the level-up effect begins to weaken. Once it starts weakening, unless the original level exceeds 70, the level during feminization will never go above 70.

Upper-rank levels of aura and mana cannot be obtained through the level-up effect of Leonization. However, even when the level-up effect weakens, various skills that can only be used in the Leona state remain available, so the benefits of using Leonization do not completely disappear.

"Really... thank you for saving me."

Feeling a bit embarrassed just saying thanks, Kazui added in a joking tone:

"Even though the first human I had sex with after being attacked in my sleep ended up being you, a guy, I’m still grateful that you saved me."

He had lost his virginity to Vice, but Vice was a succubus, not a human. The first human Kazui had sex with had ended up being Yuri.

After swallowing the meat pie in his mouth, Yuri opened his mouth.

"That’s why it couldn’t be helped! I became a woman to save you, so I had you cooperate so I could turn back into a man!"

Looking a little embarrassed, he continued:

"Besides, it’s the same for me — my first partner ended up being a guy! And unlike you, I still hadn’t lost my virginity yet!"

"There’s no way you were a virgin! You had several girlfriends!"

"I really was a virgin!"

"Even if you were a virgin, the fact that you attacked me in my sleep without getting consent is still a sexual crime, right? A sexual crime!"

"Even if I tried to get consent, if you had understood the situation, you would have refused, right, Kazu?"

"If it was to help a friend, wouldn’t I have gladly done it? I’m a man who repays favors — a man of loyalty."

"Then the next time I become a woman, I’ll have you turn me back into a man again. Make sure you help me properly! We’re friends, after all!"

"...Can I stop being your friend?"

"Even as a joke, isn’t that a bit harsh?"

"Is it really a joke?"

"If it’s not a joke and you’re serious, I’ll punch you."

"You’re going to use violence on me when I’m still recovering?"

"Ivory-san already gave the all-clear that your body is completely fine, so it’s okay to punch you."

"Speaking of Ivory-san, I really need to properly thank Ebony-san and Ivory-san. Where can I meet them?"

"If you go to the port, I think you can meet them."

Yuri supplemented his answer.

"The terrestrial ship of the company Ebony-san and Ivory-san belong to — Iron Maiden — is docked at the port."

In this world, the word "company" is used with various meanings. When adventurers use the word "company," it often carries the nuance of an organized group with far more members than a party.

And a "terrestrial ship" is a type of ship mainly used on land. It is a huge hovercraft-like vessel that floats and moves near the ground using solidified mana — magic stones — as its energy source.

Terrestrial ships are amphibious and can travel not only on land but also on water, but they have the drawback of consuming fuel much more heavily than ordinary ships. Therefore, ordinary ships remain the mainstream for water transportation.

However, for land transportation on the Northern Continent, terrestrial ships have become the mainstream. Because roads and waterways connecting cities are not well developed on the Northern Continent, long-distance travel without a terrestrial ship is difficult.

Aquila is an inland city with a river flowing nearby. However, the river is inconvenient for use as a waterway, so when people in Aquila say "port," they mean the port for terrestrial ships.

"They pushed the terrestrial ship too hard to rush to Aquila, so it needs maintenance."

Yuri continued.

"The maintenance will apparently take until tomorrow, so the people from Iron Maiden will be staying in Aquila until then."

Hearing Yuri’s words, an expression of relief appeared on Kazui’s face.

"That’s good... then I’ll be able to properly thank them."

After replying to Yuri, Kazui bit into the meat pie he was holding. The sweet-and-sour taste and aroma of the tomato sauce that spread through his mouth suited his preferences.