Aria spangs me on the head, making me swirly eyed, and I'm forced to be blindfolded for a short while. One thing I entirely didn't consider was the fact that a big blast in a shallow lagoon like that would cause a torrent of water from the shockwave... soaking my charges.

Although we don't have any girls dressed in white, it is undoubtedly an issue, especially for Aria and Kaede, in light clothing. Kiku was less affected in armour, Seria doesn't wear much anyway, and Rishya was mostly shielded behind me.

There is some squeezing of clothes and dripping. Even though I'm blindfolded, it's still pretty appealing to the imagination.

"He is grinning rather maliciously. Can't you just put his head in a bag, Aria?" Rishya says something scary.

Oops, something must gave shown on my face. I correct my wayward facial muscles.

Fortunately, it’s only a few minutes overall. There is a pleasant heat and reasonable breeze in the lagoon, after all, which is likely helping out.

My eyes are released from captivity and I squint at the bright light. As this occurs, Seria is leaned forwards towards me, as if inspecting me, giving me a wry expression.

"Ufufufu, you don't do half measures, do you, boy?" She cackles. "Well... doubtlessly you did save us some considerable effort, though do be cautious with those things of yours in the future. You don't want to turn the princess and the swordgirl into a burnt offering."

"Hehe... um... such is the sad life of the front-liner." Kiku chuckles at some odd joke to herself.

Aria just rolls her eyes.

"I am repenting. I honestly didn't expect that output..."

I actually didn't. The explosion was enough to make me nearly wet myself... the flame blaze of the Molotov had nothing on white powder and nitro-glycerine’s wallop. One kind of forgets that all those explosions you see in movies are nearly always just fireballs made by petrol. A real explosive comes with a concussive shockwave and flash enough to render you gobsmacked.

Perhaps I need to seriously review my delivery method? Even with my somewhat increased athleticism, it's going to be harrowing to deliver these things by hand, as it's not like I'm some famous baseball pitcher.

I become aware that Aria and Kaede have changed clothes entirely. I wonder when they went shopping, because Aria has switched to a black top and green skirt, and Kaede has a red cheongsam type affair now.

"Should we go inside, then?" I say with trepidation. The grand entrance awaits.

"True, we should." Seria states, flipping a twin-tail.

The group sloshes through the calm, azure water, trying the avoid the limbs of zombies.

A half burnt head floats past me menacingly. I feel a little bit sick watching it ooze black ichor into the pure blue water. It's rotted white eye stares at me like an accusation.

Yes, I did this.

I freeze for a moment, quivering slightly, prompting some quizzical stares. I cannot suppress a dry heave as I stare at the bobbing head.

Before I can panic any further, though, Aria stabs her spear into the ground with a splosh, steps over to me, and embraces me without hesitation, breaking my eye contact with it.

"There, there. It's ok, Onii-chan." She states, rubbing my back. It's ironic this is happening. I'm such a hypocrite.

But... she's warm. It's incredible how much the warm body of girl you adore in your embrace can help settle wild emotions. She is doubtlessly repaying me for the tower, but since we became a little bit intimate this morning, it's like a whole different experience.

"I am not a monster" I recite to myself. I compose myself. Aria pushes herself off me.

"Actually, I don't know about that..." She blushes furiously and looks away, patting her skirt urgently.

Oh shit... I couldn't control little Elijah at all just then, and it's pretty clear. I go wide eyed and apologise with an exaggerated bow and look around.

Kiku is in O RLY mode, and Rishya is giving me a look to indicate I am trash right now. Kaede has raised an eyebrow and Seria is chuckling into her hand.

"Perhaps not a monster, but certainly a lolicon pervert, ufufufu..." Seria cackles.

Well... I can't even try to refute it this time. How embarrassing...