The brothel is still wrapped in flames, and I already checked with [Appraisal]. There are no life signatures left inside. Every girl and every worker are all out safely.
I turn my head slightly, glancing behind me.
Yomogi and Chantal crouch beside the unconscious Berland, his face pale beneath the soot. Yomogi holds his head up gently, and Chantal presses a cloth to his chest as both of them are clearly worried.
And Kimberly, she's still kneeling where she's collapsed, frozen, and her face unreadable as she stares at the burning wreckage in front of us.
This isn't what I want to be.
This isn't the life I came here for.
I didn't come to Acrusse to be a hero. I only came to sell toiletries. I just want to live a quiet life and not play firefighter in the middle of a crisis like this.
But when Kimberly begged me, grabbed my hand with that trembling voice, and pleaded to save it… and when Mr. Berland couldn't keep himself conscious when I carried him... I couldn't walk away.
I close my eyes for just one moment.
Elves specialize in Wind element, and it makes sense that they would never risk fanning the flames in a tightly packed place like this. If Kimberly, a Great Sage of all people, doesn't move to stop it, then no one else can do this.
Dwarves' element is Earth, Cyclopes is Lightning, and even though they're not present, automata's element is Cosmic. Not one of those elements is able to extinguish fire.
So it has to be me.
I have the Water element after all. No, I have all eight elements in my arsenal.
So with that, I silently activate my [Temporary Boost] skill, setting my MP to infinity.
I don't know how bad the fire is since it's so huge. I can't just throw random spells and hope it works instantly, so I have to prepare lots of MP just in case I have to cast more than once.
"Water Wall!"
Then, a wide column of water poured from above, crashing onto the flames. The fire hisses but doesn't die.
Just as I thought, one is not enough.
"Water Wall!"
Another column. Another burst of steam. Still not enough.
"Water Wall! Water Wall!"
I cast them twice this time. It helps as more flames go out. But still, the fire fights back.
So I repeat it.
Again.
And again.
And again.
I keep casting until the fire no longer exists and is gone.
Behind me, I hear Yomogi whisper, and it sounds like she can't believe it.
"The fire... it's gone…"
Then, a faint cough follows, and it's Berland.
"Thank goodness…"
And Chantal murmurs to him next.
"Don't move too much..."
Is it enough?
Not really.
There is still something else I needed to do.
But if I do, I will have to follow it with something worse. Like something unethical.
Something people will probably never forgive me for.
But again, I never ask for this spotlight. I come here to live simply, not to get involved in major incidents. And yet, somehow, just delivering goods to Heiligeichen has already pulled me into things I never planned for.
I don't want to do this, but I have no choice.
"Restore!"
Then, a large magic circle appears on the ground beneath the brothel, and slowly, it begins to rebuild as its deteriorated appearance is repaired and it returns to glow once more.
"Restore" is a Cosmic element spell that can repair broken things to normal. But there is a condition when doing it. The longer the thing has been broken and the bigger the size is, the more magic it will require and the longer it will take to repair it. And luckily, the [Temporary Boost] still gives me an infinite MP to do it.
Behind me, I hear Berland's stunned gasp.
"N-No way…"
Chantal's voice follows.
"It's back… The building is back to normal…!"
With that, I turn to face Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, and Berland.
"I'm sorry. But the four of you will be the only ones who remember what happened here."
Before they can respond, I cast again. This time, it's a Dark element spell.
"Wipeout."
Soon after, a thin dark mist appears and merges with the remaining smoke, drifting out and passing silently over the watching crowd and Berland's prostitutes who have gathered.
They freeze for a moment, then blink in confusion.
"Huh?"
"What? What are we doing here?"
"Let's go, come on."
Then, people return to their respective activities, and Berland's prostitutes walk into the brothel, completely unaware of what just happened. I turn back toward Kimberly and Mr. Berland.
"It's done. The fire's gone."
Berland stares at me, wide-eyed.
"Mr. Motegi, what… was that…?"
"I erased everyone's memory. No one, except us five, will remember that the brothel caught fire."
Kimberly bows her head slightly at me and clearly looks grateful.
"Thank you… for saving… this place…"
As for Yomogi and Chantal, they look up at me with troubled eyes.
"Motegi-chan, why did you do that to them?"
"Do you even know what you just did, Motegi-kun?"
I nod.
"Yeah. I do, and I've already thought it all through."
And just like that, the brothel is saved, and only Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, Berland, and I remember about this incident.
IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE INCIDENT
INSIDE BERLAND'S PRIVATE OFFICE
Yomogi, Chantal, and I sit quietly. Yomogi is on my left and rests her hands on her lap, while Chantal is on my right with one leg crossed over the other. Across from us, Mr. Berland sits behind his desk, poring over a sheet of parchment, and it's almost strange seeing him serious.
He gives the page one last glance, then places it down and looks up at us.
"Well, I've just reviewed the full report. According to this, I suffered no material losses from the incident. Everything inside the brothel has returned to its original state. Not a single thing was left damaged."
Then, he pauses before he continues again.
"And as for the girls, they remember nothing. Not a trace of the fire. They're smiling, teasing, and laughing as ever. If anything, they looked even more lively than usual."
Yomogi sighs in relief.
"I'm glad to hear that…"
And Chantal exhales, looking relaxed.
"Yeah. That's the best news."
Their words warm me, but I still can't stop thinking of what I did. So I stand up and bow my head low to Berland.
"I apologize, Mr. Berland. The memory wipe spell was entirely my decision. It was selfish. I didn't want attention or rumors spreading about me, so I erased everyone's memory of the fire without asking. I'm sorry."
But, Berland suddenly responds differently.
"No, no, no. Mr. Motegi, what are you doing? Raise your head, please!"
I hesitate, then do as he asks.
He looks directly at me sincerely.
"Yes, perhaps the spell was a bit... unconventional. But I don't mind at all. When I saw those girls earlier, teasing and laughing like nothing had happened, I felt joy. I didn't want them carrying fear in their hearts. You gave them back their peace of mind, Mr. Motegi. Without them even knowing."
Then, he places a hand gently over his chest, bowing slightly at me instead.
"So if anything, I should be the one thanking you. You didn't just save this place, but you saved their smiles. That's no small thing."
"I see..."
With that, I slowly sit back down.
Actually, I hadn't expected that. I thought the Wipeout spell would be seen as something shady… maybe even invasive. But he doesn't see it that way at all. Instead of questioning its ethics, he sees the effect as his girls are safe, happy, and free from fear. Somehow, even through questionable means, I have helped.
But then, his folding fan opens again as he fans himself and declares something.
"Now then! Let's talk about compensation, Mr. Motegi!"
"Eh?"
"Ohohoho! How much should I pay you this time, I wonder?"
"Mr. Berland, there's no need to..."
But he doesn't listen.
"One gold coin? No, no… that feels too stingy…"
"Mr. Berland, seriously..."
"One large gold coin? Still not enough!"
"Mr. Berland, really, you don't have to..."
"Ten large gold coins! Yes, yes, that's more like it!"
So, I groan a little.
"Please, Mr. Berland. I didn't do it for money..."
But it doesn't work again as he wags a finger at me.
"Ah-ah! Mr. Motegi, you do remember what I said yesterday, don't you? Every act has value, is that right?"
"Yes..."
"Good! Then allow me to put a price on yours, okay? Now give me a moment, I need to think of something truly worthy of you…"
But before Berland can, Yomogi suddenly leans forward.
"Umm… how about this? Why not give Motegi-chan one night with one of your girls? Let him choose."
I choke when I hear it, and Chantal suddenly chimes in.
"Y-Yomogi?!"
"Oh! I like that idea. That's a Heiligeichen custom, right? When a foreigner does something heroic, they get one night with a beautiful woman. Isn't that how it goes?"
Berland's eyes sparkle as he claps his hands in delight.
"Oh, splendid! Miss Yomogi, Miss Chantal, absolutely splendid! What an inspired reward!"
I stare between them, completely thrown.
"Wait, hold on, no one asked me..."
"No need to worry, Mr. Motegi! I shall begin preparations immediately. Leave it to me!"
"Wait, Mr. Berland! I didn't agree to...!"
And just like that, Berland rises from his seat and leaves. But if it's not enough, there's Yomogi, who winks slyly, and Chantal, who gives me a thumbs-up.
"Do your best, Motegi-chan..."
"Enjoy your reward, Motegi-kun..."
After that, the two of them just leave the room with zero remorse, leaving me standing in silence.
And moments later, Berland returns to the room, giving me a nod dramatically.
"This way, Mr. Motegi."
We get out from the room, and I follow him through a corridor, and when he pushes open a set of curtains at the end, I can see all of Berland's girls lining both sides of a velvet-carpeted hall and standing at attention, wrapped in the most revealing silk, lace, and satin lingerie ever.
And then, they greet me in perfect unison.
"Thank you for everything, sensei!"
"Huh?"
Before I can say anything else, Mr. Berland steps beside me and holds up his fan to shield us from view as he leans in to whisper.
"This is just an excuse, Mr. Motegi. A little trick to gather them all without raising suspicion."
"Ah, I get it."
Yeah, they still have no idea what actually happened after I wiped their memories of the fire earlier. That means he has fabricated this entire ceremony to honor what even they can't remember.
But honestly, that doesn't help at all.
In fact, it only makes everything more awkward.
As I take a single step forward, the room erupts.
"Sensei! Pick me!"
"No! Choose me! I wear the special one!"
"Sensei, I practiced a new position just for tonight!"
"Please, please, I want to show you how grateful I am!"
The girls close in, voices rising in excitement, each one eager to be chosen. It's like a fevered auction, except I'm the only bidder and the prize is supposed to be sex.
And no, I don't want this.
These girls are the very same ones I've taught how to brush their teeth, how to wash their hair, and how to play chess, go, and mahjong. They're laughing now, glowing with confidence, and comfortable in their own skin.
They're like my students now, and I don't want to reward myself with one of them.
Then, Mr. Berland turns to me.
"So, Mr. Motegi, which of these lovely ladies will you choose?"
Yes, I should go with her. I did say before... if I'm going to sleep with anyone from this country, it's gonna be her and no one else.
I take a breath and slowly begin to speak.
"I heard a rumor… about a woman who worked here during the coup, three hundred years ago. A prostitute who survived the chaos, then left after it ended… and she returned years later as the most powerful magic user in this country."
Berland's eyes widen like he clearly knows what I mean.
"If you truly want me to accept your reward, Mr. Berland… then I'll go with that person."
He stares at me and still doesn't believe what I just said.
"You… you mean her, Mr. Motegi?"
"Yes. You do know who I mean, don't you?"
"Yes, of course, Mr. Motegi. But she already retired a long time ago, right on the same day she left. And I'm not sure she would want to return to this place."
I smile, slightly intimidating him.
"And who was it that suggested this whole reward thing in the first place, Mr. Berland?"
Berland flinches and then nods weakly.
"Y-Yes, understood, Mr. Motegi. I'll do what I can to bring her to you. Please, wait in your room."
"Thank you."
As I turn to go, Meera suddenly speaks.
"Sensei, you're really going with that person, huh?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry, Meera."
Meera waves it off with a grin.
"No, it's okay, sensei. She's like my great senior, no, she's everyone's great senior."
Then, she laughs and adds, and I laugh too.
"Yaahh... There's no way I could compete with her. Not in power, not in beauty, not in body."
"Is it really that serious?"
"Yup. Now go, sensei. Wait in your room, and hope that she'll come, or I'll take her place."
I open the door, smiling over my shoulder.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Inside, I find the bedroom is really made for this kind of night. The curtains, the candles, and there are rose petals scattered all over the silk sheets. I sit at the edge of the bed and begin to pray.
"Please, let her come..."
Time passes.
I bounce my foot. Stand up, pace the room. Sit back again and still wait.
Thirty minutes must've passed, maybe more.
Just when I start to lose hope... I hear a knock on the door, followed by a soft and very familiar voice.
"Excuse me…"
My heart jumps a bit.
"Come in."
The door creaks open. And there she is. Long blonde hair, an emerald jewel mark on her forehead. And what she wears right now is a light green negligee that matches her emerald eyes, clinging to every one of her curves and huge breasts in perfect ways, clearly still captivating as always.
Then, she steps inside, speaking with her usual tone.
"I can't believe… I've been... called out... of retirement… for one... interesting human…"
She pauses as her eyes meet mine.
"Thank you… for choosing… an old lady... like me…"
Another pause, and she smiles with a slight bow.
"I'm Kimberly. And tonight… will be my very... final service. Please… enjoy it… Motegi-sama…"
And in that moment, I just stare, but I'm sure that I've just made the right decision.