The evening meal that day was incredibly lavish.
It was a series of high-class dishes that one could scarcely experience in their past life, let alone this one.
They were meant to welcome Rest back from the battlefield, but for some reason the phrase «Last Supper» came to mind.
(How tactless and oblivious of me… well, I suppose it can’t be helped. Once this short holiday ends, I’m headed right back to the battlefield.)
«Phew… this is nice hot water.»
After the luxurious meal, Rest decided to take a bath.
The spacious bathroom. Soaking in the large bathtub, Rest let out a deep sigh.
The water was pleasantly hot. His whole body felt like it was melting, dissolving into the water.
His body warmed up, and drowsiness crept in… but the stimulation overwhelmed his desire to sleep, making it impossible to close his eyes.
«The water’s just right, Rest.»
«I’ll wash your back for you later, Lord Rest.»
To Rest’s left and right, beautiful girls were soaking in the water.
With their bodies settled in the bath, they fully exposed their completely naked forms.
Slender waists, long limbs, full breasts… everything about them was top-tier.
Their flawless white skin was so dazzling it seemed like it could burn his eyes.
«…This really might be heaven. Maybe I’m already dead.»
«Huh? You’re alive, Rest. Are you half-asleep or something?»
«I’m not very fond of that kind of joke, Rest.»
Rest and the Rosemary sisters weren’t the only ones in the bathroom.
Yuri and Celestine were also there.
Yuri's taut athletic limbs and Celestine's sculpted proportions.
The sight of the four beautiful girls gathered was truly a heavenly sight.
Even if today were the last day of my life, being able to taste such happiness would allow me to depart to heaven without a single regret.
"That's really inappropriate... I feel like death flags are popping up all over the place..."
"It's been a while since we've relaxed like this. It's hard to believe we're in the middle of a war."
Viola narrowed her eyes in comfort.
Primula also nodded at those words.
"That's really true... I wish we could stay like this forever and ever."
"Yeah, I agree. I want to be like this ten years from now, twenty years from now, no, even a hundred years from now."
Yuri nodded in agreement.
A hundred years is probably pushing it... but indeed, how happy would it be to stay like this forever.
(I'm happy. The best in my life... No, not in a perverted sense.)
Rest also agreed with their words.
"I don't really want to go to the battlefield... but to protect these peaceful days, we have to fight the Empire. Let's head east as soon as tomorrow."
"Tomorrow... that's quite soon. Wouldn't it be better to rest a bit more slowly?"
Celestine tried to hold him back, but Rest shook his head.
"The battle situation changes by the minute. I'm also worried about Urla, so it's better to hurry as soon as possible."
Rest is a workaholic when all is said and done.
Even if he takes a break without working, he gets restless and can't truly relax.
That was simply his nature.
"So... you're going already. I'll be lonely."
"Lord Rest, we also... um..."
"No. Everyone wait here."
Before Viola and Primula could speak up, Rest had already refused them.
"Rest..."
"Lord Rest..."
"Muu..."
Viola, Primula, and even Yuri all showed their dissatisfaction.
However, no matter how much they insisted, he wouldn't budge on this.
Rest was fighting to protect them. He honestly didn't care about the nation or the duties of a noble.
What Rest wanted to protect were only the women who had told him they loved him in spite of his flaws.
(If they were in a dangerous place, I'd be too worried to fight... no matter how lonely I'll be, I'm going to the battlefield alone.)
"There's nothing for it, everyone. It seems Lord Rest's resolve is firm."
Celestine chimed in from the side.
"Managing the domain and holding down the fort while our husband is away is also a noble wife's duty... Let us pray for Rest's safety."
"Celestine... thank you."
"However, you're leaving us, your wives-to-be. At least tonight, you don't mind if we stay together all night, right?"
Celestine pressed her index finger to her lips and said mischievously.
"Ah... well, um..."
«Celestine's right! Let's all sleep together tonight!»
«Lord Rest's bed is too small, isn't it? Shall I have the servants bring another bed?»
«This is what they call a pajama party, right! In that case, why don't we just spread out cushions and futons on the floor and all sleep together there?»
«Oof...»
Celestine's proposal got Viola, Primula, and Yuri excited too.
*(As I thought, am I going to die? Is God trying to let me have one last good time before the end?)* Rest never spoke of what happened that day.
But... the night before his departure, spent with the four beautiful girls, was surely a joyful one.
The next day.
Rest set off to the east with a bright, refreshed look on his face.