New lodgings

“Can't even take a single joke”, Cassandra grumbled.

Smack!

“No grumbling! Walk orderly!”, Fisti demanded sternly.

Once everyone was halfway awake again and properly dressed we decided to all make our way to these so called new lodgings.

I also decided that “properly dressed” meant completely and utterly naked for Cassandra and Beatrice.

Cassandra didn't seem terribly bothered by it, flaunting her impressive assets with no care in the world. I probably should have seen that coming.

Beatrice however was quite the other matter. The young witch was evidently very self conscious about her not particularly developed body, and was blushing up a storm. With a very flustered expression, she put her hands in front of her body to cover as much of her smooth, white skin as possible.

It was very pleasant.

Smack!

“No covering up, witch!”, demanded Sanakia. “You will walk with your hands to your side!”

“My, I don’t see what the problem is”, I teased. “With boobs as tiny as these, you don’t really have anything to hide.”

Beatrice looked like she was ready to cry.

Shit, now I started to feel bad again. I had to remind myself that she was in fact a fully grown evil witch who absolutely deserved this.

If there was any salvation for her, it was that the way to our lodging wasn't very public. In fact, after the initial walk to the magic elevator we encountered not a single person as we moved through what appeared to be an underground employers only corridor.

I had to admit, I was somewhat getting worried at this point. What if this was a trap from Ojou-sama after all? Femto also decided that this was the perfect moment to make herself scarce again.

According to Cassandra, Maria did not belong to Ojou’s retinue and this was indeed part of the normal procedure for finalists. It didn’t do much to alleviate my worries though.

After going straight for a while, the tunnel eventually started to curve. We passed a few sturdy metal looking doors before Maria finally stopped at one.

“I appreciate your patience, esteemed guests”, our guide announced. “We have arrived.” She then urged me to use my fighter’s pass and the metal door whirred open.

We entered a small box shaped room that looked like an elevator, But instead of using said elevator I was made to use the fighter’s pass yet again and a second door opened towards the other side to what was a very luxurious apartment.

“Oh wow.” I couldn't help but gasp. This was easily three time as large as the already spacious room we used to lodge in before. And not only that, there was even a second floor that could be accessed via a staircase.

“Your new lodgings, Master Beta, consists of one living/dining room, one master bedroom, two guest bedrooms, two bathrooms, one toilet, a private spa and gym as well as a playroom. Room service is of course included and free of charge, so feel free to order any food or refreshments that you like.”

This was beyond opulent! This was fit for a king! Well...except for one point.

“No sun.” Aiju was the first to address it. “Feels like burrow.”

“Well, guess it’s evening”, Fisti reasoned. “But still. No windows? That's kinda...”

Indeed. Since this was underground the only light source was obviously artificial. It made for a somewhat opressive atmosphere despite the luxrious interior.

Maria looked genuinely confused at our reasonable observations. “Oh, you aren't aware?”

“Well they never where the smartest bunch”, Cassandra shrugged with a sigh. “Even if it's bloody obvious.”

“Who are you calling not smart!” Sanakia immediately slapped Cassandra's butt.

“Ouch!” Cassandra winced. “You are supposed to be in charge of Beatrice!”

“Care to explain?”, I asked my maid.

“Well, I could tell you of course, Master Beta.”, said Maria, this time with a slightly mischievous smile. “But I would hate to spoil the surprise. Would you mind terribly waiting for tomorrow?”

I wasn't particularly in the mood for any more surprises. But Maria seemed genuinely eager. I still felt bad about what happened earlier as well. I suppose I can indulge her that much.

“W-whatever!”, Beatrice cut in. “Might I please get dressed now?”

I smirked at the flustered witch. “Why, I don't know Beatrice, I am rather fond of this new shy, obedient and above all else non cackling persona of yours. Maybe you should sport that look for a little while longer? It clearly suits you.” I patted her head for emphasis.

“Got to agree with Mari here, Rice.” Fisti showed a very rare smile. “Having ya humbled like this is a very nice change. We should keep ya that way.”

“You get used to it and if not there’s always booze”, shrugged Cassandra with a bored expression as she deftly avoided Sanakia's slaps. “Sides, losing your magic and being enslaved should be a bigger deal then a bit of nudity.”

“You insolent barbarians!”, the ex-witch complained. “I am getting brutally abused here and you...eek!”

Sanakia found an easier target with Bea's butt. “You will guard your tongue witch! If you have forgotten: This is still your punishment. Accept it meekly, or else!”

“Y-You big boobed bully!”, Beatrice shouted and stomped her feet. For some reason the insult made Sanakia gasp. “I-I don’t have big breasts! Yours are just too tiny!”

Huh. For some reason...despite all the trouble of the last few days, this all felt strangely nice. And I’m not just talking about humbling Beatrice. “Alright”, I said with a smile. “Punishments over, everyone feel free to take the rooms you like.”

With only three bedrooms and seven occupants there was of course some squabble over who gets to lodge who. After dismissing Bea's astonishingly insolent claim to the master bedroom, I made use of that one. As expected Aiju demanded quite vehemently to sleep in the same bed. A request I doubt I could deny even if I wanted to. It did surprise me though that Sanakia requested the same.

“As a squire it is my obligation to stay as close to my Lord as possible. I will happily sleep below the mattress if you would just grant me this boon!”

The bed was actually high enough that this would be possible. Still, that wasn't an arrangement I was keen on.

Fisti's only request was that she wouldn't be put in the same bedroom as Cassandra, which was easy enough to fulfill. We set her up with Maria, who of course was perfectly fine with whatever we would choose.

That left the two mischief makers, Beatrice and Cassandra to share the last room.

“Oh, you got to be kidding me, Daddy!”, Cassandra complained. “What if her pet devil shows up again?”

“I don’t want to sleep in the same bed as that nudist either”, Beatrice agreed. “Can’t you just make her sleep on the couch or something?”

“You will sleep together and like it.” I said with a smile. “Oh, and while we are at it make sure to cuddle with each other for at least 15 minutes per night before falling asleep.”

“What!”, Beatrice gasped in outrage. “You have to be out of your mind!”

I pondered Beatrice’s input for a bit. “You’re right, let’s make it 30 minutes.”

“You insolent, little twerp!”

“Naked, of course. And with lots of kisses.”

“If you think I will..mpppffff.”

Cassandra swiftly clasped a hand over the angry little witch. Smart move. “As you command, Daddy.”

I could get used to this.

It should be said, that despite our groups quite considerable numbers, there was still plenty of space left. The beds in the guest room where large enough to easily fit five people and the one in the master bedroom was ridiculously gigantic. The bed itself was a gaudy, circular monstrosity set in the middle of the room. Aiju would later discover that it was possible to have the bed rotate.

Why you would want that I had no idea, but Aiju liked this feature so much, that I already mentally prepared myself that I wouldn't be able to sleep in a non spinning bed for the remainder of the tournament.

The Spa/Gym was equally impressive. There was a sizable hot spring portion that could fit all of us (although it would admittedly be a snug fit) Sanakia was the first to try them out, after I assured her that it was fine to take a break from her duty of protecting me.

Finally, I decided to check out this so called playroom. I was expecting a pool table and some board games. But no, of course not.

The playroom was a veritable dungeon with all kinds of perverse equipment. Maria was quick to explain that she would be delighted to demonstrate each and every one of them. Particularly on Cassandra.

Maybe later.

All in all, the apartment was indeed just as magnificent as the first impression suggested, although I still can’t get over the fact that it felt like an underground bunker for a corrupt dictator. I suppose it is to provide maximum security for the combatants.

After our brief tour, we all assembled on the big dining table, that was equipped with a small scale teleportation device. Any food we wished to order would be teleported here free of charge.

Since I skipped lunch, we made use of that right away and ordered a veritable feast for dinner while watching the round 4 recaps on the giant magic vision screen.