For the Sake of Beauty

What kind of cursed lineup is this...?

My lord! I believe your inner thoughts slipped out loud.

It wasn't a slip. I wanted you to hear that.

Ethan, you're always so spirited.

Not "spirited", I'm just in shock...

Shock? Did you see a very cute cat?

Do I look like you?

I received a bouquet yesterday. Scripture says to love your neighbor, but the attention's becoming a bit... overwhelming.

I'm jealous... not even cats like me...

...

Is something bothering you, my lord? You seem... uneasy.

I AM uneasy.

Yes?

How could I not be?

It's weird enough that I'm sitting in on girl talk, but hearing you three talk about this stuff is giving me hives!

How so?

What's strange about it?

Do I really need to explain?

Percival, you're such a hardcore soldier that people forget your gender.

Lua, you swing your sword more than you talk to people.

D-Do I come off that way? I assure you, I have a delicate side too...

I talk... especially to cats.

Cats aren't people!

Then what about Lady Joan? She's admired even by men, unlike us.

That's why we're seeking her wisdom today.

Agreed.

Oh my, that's flattering...

What happened in the Ygritte Empire was unfortunate, but... there are still people who believe in me, who care for me.

For their sake, I'll keep moving forward.

That's exactly why Joan doesn't fit in here either! In a completely different way than you two!

Hmm... then what should we do?

Please, instruct us, my lord!

Sigh...

...Well, everyone's taste is different, but first, you've gotta fix those stiff personalities.

Loosen up how you speak, move a little more naturally... and yeah, maybe put some effort into your appearance.

Lua, Percival, you two especially, you're so glued to your swords, it's obvious you're warriors at a glance.

If I do that, people will like me more?

Of course! The attention you're getting now isn't romantic at all. If you want to attract someone, you have to look the part!

You're amazing, my lord... I knew bringing you was the right call.

You sure know a lot...

Huh? Uh, well... yeah, I guess... hahaha...

If possible... I want to start preparing for the future.

When the war's over... I might even become someone's wife...

How should I take care of myself, my lord?

I heard you need things like... creams and bath oils. Cosmetics.

Now that you mention it, there's a local spot they call the Graveyard of the Lost.

There's a rumor that cream made from the slimes there and bath powder made from powdered bones... make your skin glow!

That's so very you, Lady Joan!

Hold up! Are you listening to yourselves?!

Even if you carve up a slime, it's still a slime! Rub that on your face and your skin's done for!

Lua is strong. So it's okay.

It is not okay! And don't even get me started on using bone dust for a bath! That's grave desecration!

You can't be a knight if you're squeamish about the dead.

Unbelievable... Why are you suddenly so into self-care? Do you like someone or something?

Didn't think you'd be into this at all...

It's... for the future.

Sheesh...

Let's go right away! My lord, please join us too! If it works, we can give some to Princess Elizabeth!

...Elizabeth?

W-Well, it'd be irresponsible to just send you lot off alone, so... I'll come along. You know. To supervise. Or whatever.

It's settled, then. Shall we go?

May the blessings of the divine follow us on this journey...

Don't throw a holy prayer over a vanity trip!!

This place is called the Graveyard of the Lost, and yet they're not even fazed...

A little discomfort is a small price to pay for beauty, my lord.

Percival's right.

Effort is how we show the gods we're worthy of their blessings.

And what exactly are you trying to earn those blessings for...?

No one knows the future. We just have to do what we can while we can.

E-Exactly! One of us might end up becoming your wife someday!

Aahhh! I can't believe I actually said that out loud!

It's okay. They say expressing your feelings is a good way to build affection.

Where do you even hear these so-called sayings...?

Morgana shared them with me. The wisdom of an ancient fairy queen is... truly something.

She even told us she gathers her own cosmetic ingredients from this very place.

...What?!

Don't tell me... those idiots?!

Oh heavens...

Lady Morgana!!

That is... one enormous slime.

H-Haaah... I live...

Huuurk! I nearly suffocated in there... sob...

What in the world were you doing here?

What else? I thought of a lucrative opportunity and came to gather materials.

Why do you sound proud? You literally just got rescued!

Excuse you! This wasn't a solo operation.

Waaah! I'm sorry, Ethan... I was the one who asked to come... sniff...

Lately, I felt like I was drifting apart from Morgana... So I asked her how she keeps her skin so flawless, and...

She was unusually polite for once, so I decided to let her in on the secret.

Wanting to patch things up is fine, but this looked like you lured her into a trap.

I'm so sorry, Morgana... You got eaten because of me...

Just be more careful next time. Lucky for you, I'm not your average human. A normal person would've suffocated in there.

Don't worry. Your sacrifice won't be in vain.

...

Joan. Did you not hear what she just said? She's doing this for money.

Yes?

I-I had no ulterior motives! I, the Fairy Queen, simply stepped up to help all the poor women suffering from dry skin!

You're better off saying nothing...

Are you two all right?

Perfectly fine. I did it on purpose, after all.

I wanted to test the effects by applying it directly to my face.

It was so scary...

Sigh...

Hey Morgana... Does that stuff... actually work?

Why do you ask, Ethan? Don't tell me you want some...?

You're not getting any. We already planned to use it all ourselves.

I wouldn't take it even if you begged me!

...Though, if it does work, I might consider giving it to Elizabeth. Ahem.

Oho... You collected the right ingredients. This stuff's popular even among fairies. Use it well.

W-We'll be heading back now... My legs are still shaking...

Yeah, go wash up. You reek of slime.

Feels good to move around. They say cosmetics work even better after a little sweat.

Let's try them out once we're back.

Okay.

To Salisbury!

Hey... What's with the sudden obsession with all this stuff?

You know, you're already...

Already?

You're... already cute enough.

...

M-My lord... you're making me blush...

Flirt.

No! That's not what I meant! You're misunderstanding again!

Ethan, girls grow through love. Caring for someone can awaken new strength. It's all part of the path to enlightenment.

...Is that so?

She's right. My master said the same. Well... her version involved alcohol.

In your case, it's cats.

True... but cats are just... nice. That's all.

...Just nice? Then is there someone you really care about?

...Dummy.

Who're you calling a dummy?!

M-My lord... This is one of those matters only women understand. I hate to say this, but... you really shouldn't butt in.

Even if I'm still lacking... I am a woman, my lord!

Percival... no you too!

Everyone carries a secret or two they can't tell.

Fine. Do whatever you want.

...Percival?!

Where'd she go...?

E-Ethan...

Swordbringer...

Gasp! My lord... I'm sorry.

We had something important to discuss and I left early before I could tell you...

That's not the problem.

What's going on here? You all look miserable.

Well... um...

We followed the rumor... but it didn't really do anything...

Worse than nothing. It gave me a rash...

I told you it was nonsense!

Why do women do this to themselves?

Oh crap, Elizabeth! She seemed really into it yesterday, I gotta find her and stop her before she uses it!

...Wait. If you've got rashes, why not just go to the clinic to get it checked out?

Well... um...

There's another rumor. In the Ygritte Empire, they say a young goblin's pee can... increase bust size.

We were thinking of testing it...

T-This time it has to work!

Don't do it!! You're already big enough as is!!

...Oh no.

...Pervert.

M-My lord... I'm disappointed in you...