"So then what kind of team is this?"
"Don’t have a clue, but it involves anything about hot chicks."
Mossley said with a laugh. I don’t know what I have gotten myself into, but I’m going to be just fine.
"Alright then, I do have a couple of questions. Who is bathing at this hour? And where is the bathhouse?"
"Well, you see, the Rank A royal girls, I have heard they use the bathhouse late at night. We just have to sneak into their section, from there things will be easy."
Wendel pushed up his glasses as I took notice of his explanation.
"I’m terrible at navigation. Can we just move forward?"
"Yeah, sure, man." Lior laughed it off, then we all four started heading towards the bathhouse.
⟨ It’s about time we learn the ranking system of royals. There are low, mid, high, and special rankings for royals. ⟩
⟨ Low ranking: E and F. These are royals with less money, power, and mana. Therefore, no authority as well. Still, they are part of the hierarchy. ⟩
⟨ Mid ranking: C and D. Average. I suppose that’s about it. ⟩
⟨ Higher ranking: A and B. Filthy rich in pretty much everything. ⟩
⟨ This ranking is solely for humans, especially those who call themselves royals. But when they realized humans’ potential and other crossbreeds exist... ⟩
⟨ They come with special ranking, X, Y, Z. These are the individuals with extreme mana, potential, and knowledge. ⟩
"Is that why you suggested I keep Sister Maren in my harem?"
⟨ No. And why are you saying that out loud? ⟩
Oh crap, I was listening to the explanation and didn’t notice my surroundings at all.
"What were you just mumbling about? Harem? Are you really trying to make one?"
Wendel asked, as if he’d caught a really rare bug or something. Looking at the other two’s not-so-shocked faces was weird. Seems like they just heard the word "harem" only.
"Well, you can say that."
"Oho, you are such a fitting member of our club. I have a similar taboo aim too. I want to act as a male exhibitionist at a playhouse. And be the best at it."
What the fuck did I just hear!!?
⟨ Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.... Oh, this must be new for you. Ha ha. ⟩
⟨ In simple terms, a male exhibitionist at a playhouse is a porn star. This world doesn’t have technology, but some rich royals do enjoy watching other individuals mating. ⟩
Context didn’t help me a millimetre. Thank you.
"Oo, oo! I have a taboo aim as well!!"
Mossley is quite excited, a little too excited. I don’t like it. I don’t think I should hear it. One was traumatizing enough...
"I want to find a beautiful virgin girl and marry her. Someone so bright and kind that she doesn’t care about my rank and my fat belly."
I’m... crying. He sounds like the old me. Reality has yet to hit him. In the modern world, it’s impossible to find such girls, especially virgins.
Oh wait. This isn’t the modern world. Maybe he will find one, who knows.
"Well, that’s cute. I hope you find one."
"You are so nice, Elias. Finally, someone who gets my idea of living."
Boy is emotional. We talked until he reached a corner with a dead end and a window.
"Is the bathhouse up in the sky? This is a dead end."
I asked, and those three passed around a creepy smile. Then Lior reached into his bag and took out a bottle.
"This is a potion which decreases the size of the human body. One sip of this and we will be as tiny as a toddler."
"You see, there’s a small vent out the window, and it connects straight into the bathhouse. Do I need to explain the rest?"
Lior finished talking, and I was genuinely amazed by their dedication. It’s such a risky but well-made plan. Seriously, they came up with this?
"I have to say, I’m impressed."
As I complimented them, Wendel and Mossley started posing like Greek sculptures for some reason. Lior kept his head intact.
"Quick, take a sip already."
We all took a sip one by one, starting with Lior, passing the bottle. I found out the taste is pretty similar to soy sauce, but a bit on the disgusting side.
After just a few seconds I began to shrink down. So did everyone else. I’m less than half of my original size, and my clothes are loose, like they aren’t mine but my father’s.
"Oh crap, we didn’t think about the clothes. What do we do now?"
Mossley panicked, and yes, that’s a real problem — even my underwear is loose.
"Well, just make a knot in your underwear and leave the rest of the clothes here."
Lior commanded, and we did exactly that. Just naked commandos ready for the mission. After knotting and making adjustments, we opened the window.
"The vent is on the right side."
Lior opened the sealed trapdoor of the vent and tossed it aside, then climbed in. Then it was Wendel’s turn, then mine.
I have a fear of heights, and I made myself very clear that I wasn’t even looking down. And I climbed in. It was bigger and cleaner than I thought.
As soon as I entered the vent, a heat wave blew on my face, and with it I heard the girly noises, all the giggles and chatter. I could hear them faintly.
"Ahm, help me."
I turned around and saw Mossley. He was stuck, of course. Should have taken two sips instead of one.
"I’m not stuck, alright. Just having trouble getting in."
No one is buying that, but then again, the mouth is narrow. Me and Lior both grabbed one hand and pulled Mossley in with effort.
His body slammed down and made a sound that echoed in the vents. It was loud, and the girls’ chatter and giggles stopped.
Me and Lior looked at each other, horrified for a second. Then the giggling returned, and we took a breath of relief.
"I’m sorry about that."
"From here on out, we are not allowed to talk or make any sound. Got it." Wendel whispered, and we all nodded.
"Got it."