episode_0080

“I don’t know if you know, but the fact that a devil was involved is definitely not an issue that can be taken lightly. It is a serious case that will either be referred to the Inquisition or the Holy Knights will be dispatched.”

“……”

I glanced at Michelle and saw that her face had turned pale.

“Ha…Still, I want her. How can we not ask for your understanding?”

“Hmm, are you telling me to cover up the incident where the devil appeared?”

“……”

That’s definitely a bit unreasonable. Still, we have to somehow get him to shut up.

“Is there something you wish for?”

“I hope that happens after my curiosity is satisfied. Why do you want her so much? Even though there was a devil inside my body.”

Velvine’s eyes became sharper.

Hostility and weak murderous intent… Maybe he suspects me of being a demon. It had not been long since demons appeared in the imperial palace and kidnapped the empress and princess.

“…She just has great meaning and value to me. It’s a kind of possessiveness and monopolistic desire.”

“Hmm…? Do you think that answers it?”

“I’m sorry, but it’s difficult to say more than this.”

And in fact, everything has been said. Even though she has superpowers, if she wasn’t a collectible character, there would have been no reason to take the risk of becoming a demon.

“…Sigh~ As expected, I have no idea what the weirdos in Delheim are thinking. You must be a talented person who has passed that extremely ignorant ‘regular training’, right?”

“That’s right?”

“Tsk tsk… No matter how you look at it, that is not a proper way to raise a human being.”

“……”

Are you feeding me suddenly like this?

“Ah, relax your expression. It was never meant to be insulting or anything. It’s just because I’m frustrated. I have a close relationship with your father, Helberg, and we discussed the training several times…”

After sipping wine, he sighed and softened his eyes.

“Anyway, I knew for sure that you wanted to have that girl. From the looks of it, they don’t look like demons… Well, I guess I’ll have to get a thorough examination from a priest.”

“……”

“By the way, how did you guys come all the way here?”

“Ah, that’s…”

As I glanced at my older sister, she nodded and stepped forward.

“Count Belvine. We came to hunt the Dragon Fairy in the southern jungle. To give it to my brother as a wedding gift.”

“Gift… Ah, now that I think about it, the eldest son of that family said he was getting married soon. But Dragon Fairy? What is that?”

“It is a type of fairy. They said it was very beautiful.”

“Hmm… I’ve never heard of it… Well, you can figure that out on your own. Well then. While you’re on your way, could you do me a favor? I guess that’s what I paid for that child.”

My sister glanced at me, and when I nodded, my sister also looked at Lord Belvine and nodded.

“I will do that. Thank you for listening to our stubbornness.”

” Well, I’m glad that I can save myself from having to worry about one thing. It’s hard to find skilled people like you, so I feel reassured. Ah, well, let’s talk leisurely while eating. I was holding on too much.”

“No.”

Only then did the proper meal begin, but the steak had long since gone cold.

“Hmm, it’s very delicious. In particular, the scent of fruits that can only be tasted here is very refreshing.”

“Thank you for that. I’m glad it’s delicious.”

It was a friendly atmosphere.

Michelle, who does not know etiquette, was restless, so I told her to eat comfortably, and then she chewed and swallowed her food quickly. Perhaps because it was only my first two days of food, I didn’t feel full no matter how much I ate.

When the meal was about halfway through, Lord Velvine finally spoke.

“Um, about that request from earlier.”

“Yes.”

“I would like you to investigate the monsters in the southern jungle.”

“Monster…you mean?”

“Um…you guys know that, right? I’m talking about a situation where monsters suddenly started talking.”

“……”

“It’s not just words. Their intelligence also skyrocketed. Even if you retrieve the ‘Stone of Wisdom’, which is considered to be the cause, it appears again from somewhere and allows monsters to speak… Recently, it seems like there has been an attempt to create a ‘nation’.”

“Country… you mean? Of monsters?”

“Okay. You may not believe it, but it’s true. Phew…what the world is going to become…”

He sighed deeply and sipped his wine.

“However, if it is an unstoppable trend, it would be right to prepare. We are conducting our own investigation, but it would be more certain if someone skilled like you did it.”

“……”

“I have no intention of asking you to do something too dangerous. All you have to do is find out where the monsters gather, what their thoughts are, and whether there is really a movement to create a nation… all you have to do is find out and let us know.”

It was something that just looked like a hassle.

However, since we had no choice, we had no choice but to nod.

“Okay. Let’s do our best to find out. It’s not a story that has nothing to do with us…”

“Well, I’d like to ask you a favor.”

With that, the table returned to a cheerful atmosphere again.

“Hey, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

Lord Belvine’s eldest daughter came in as if she was waiting for an opportunity, and her innocent eyes were sparkling like deer. Well, maybe it’s because she has a pretty face and big eyes, but she has quite an attention-grabbing presence.

“That…elixir. Do you really rejuvenate if you eat it?”

“Ahaha…”

Sure enough, that’s the story. Well, that’s probably a hot potato in the empire right now. I smiled quietly and nodded.

“I’m not sure, but after seeing His Majesty use it, it doesn’t seem to be effective. Wrinkles visibly disappeared and your whole body became energized.”

“Oh my…”

After a little admiration, she leaned forward even further, revealing her fairly voluptuous cleavage. Is it smaller than Tyra…? However, it appears much larger due to its relatively short stature, small head, and neatly stretched limbs.

“But Zanderom said that he only exchanged the elixir for ‘God’s currency.’ Why? From what I heard, it was only sturdy but not a useful item.”

“Haha, actually, I have a very strong collector’s nature. When I see those things, I can’t wait to collect them.”

“Ah~ No matter what, you exchange elixir with it? Actually, isn’t there a secret to God’s currency that we don’t know about?”

“Clara. Stop it. That’s not what I’m asking.”

“Oh, sorry. Mr. Zanderom. I’m the type of person who can’t stand being curious…”

“Haha. It’s okay.”

“Well, then…can you tell me how you obtained the elixir?”

“Um…that’s…”

I thought I was going to overlook this too, but I soon changed my mind. Anyway, these questions will continue to fly until I come forward and provide some answers. In that case, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to wrap it up with a suitable lie here. Also, if nobles and mercenaries start going in and out of unexcavated ruins, the number of coins circulating in the market will increase.

“Good. Since you saved my life, let me tell you something special.”

“Oh my! really!? I am so honored to be the first person to take the course!”

“Special words.”

I appropriately dramatized what happened in the ruins of the ancient empire.

After creating hardships and trials through suspicious research, warlocks, and traps, he obtained an elixir as the final reward of the ruins. Oh, and the anecdote about saving his life with God’s currency that he carried in his arms was also subtly included to provide a justification for collecting God’s currency. Well, there is no choice, but there is a world of difference between having a story and not having a story.

“That way, I was able to escape from the ruins safely.”

When the hour-long adventure story ended with everyone listening, Clara’s eyes were sparkling like magic lights. Other people also expressed exclamations.

Phew, talking is not easy.

“Very interesting. It’s a ruin… Can you tell me the location of the place you ventured to?”

“Of course. That’s about it.”

After telling me the approximate location of the ruins I had explored, I smiled in remorse.

Now this story will spread widely through social circles. Then, the vast ruins of the ancient empire will be completely destroyed, leaving no trace of dust behind. This will soon lead to mass circulation of God’s currency.

“How many days do you plan to stay here?”

“Hmm… I don’t plan on staying that long. Above all, we have come to retrieve a gift for our brother… I think we will have to move quickly to carry out the lord’s request. Do you think the same way?”

“Rom. Let’s stay for one more day.”

“What? Really?”

“Of course. I don’t know exactly what your physical condition is yet… It would be better to go after getting a thorough examination from the priest here.”

“Hmm, well, then…”

“Harura…I’m very disappointed.”

I burst into laughter at Clara’s expression, which seemed to be truly regretful.

After finishing dinner, we went straight back to the room and washed up.

I pretended to be fine, but I was still consciously tired, and as soon as I lay down, I fell asleep, hugging Sarah like a dead woman. My sister and Michelle also fell asleep quickly, probably because they were unable to sleep properly due to my care.

***

When I woke up refreshed, the fatigue from the previous day had disappeared as if it were a lie.

This day was a time to spend time leisurely and prove my health and innocence by passing the priest’s divine power through my body and receiving magical tests from numerous wizards.

That said, it wasn’t particularly boring, because the lord’s daughter and son followed along and talked constantly.

But that night.

“Zanderom. Mr. Zanderom.”

“…Huh?”

As I was lying in bed, hugging Sarah and getting ready to fall asleep, I slowly turned my head when I heard Clara’s muffled voice coming from somewhere.

“…Lady Clara?”

“Shh. Can we talk alone for a moment?”

She could not be seen at all, perhaps because she was using an artifact, and her presence was extremely reduced, so her location could not be determined properly.

Hmm, it’s not a shadow cloak, but it looks like he’s using a fairly high-level artifact.

“…Master.”

It seems like Sarah had noticed it already and pretended to sleep while watching the situation.

“…I’ll be back for a bit.”

“Heo-eup…!”

As I got out of bed, I heard the sound of someone taking a breath in the air nearby.

Oops, I was completely naked.

As I hurriedly put on my clothes and smiled awkwardly, I felt a faint sign of popularity right next to me.

“Now, Mr. Zanderom…”

“Let’s go outside first.”

After whispering, I carefully opened the door and left the room.

“Phew…I’m sorry. Mr. Zanderom. I really want to talk just with the two of us…”

After deactivating the artifact, she was dressed much simpler than when she was seen during the day. She was wearing a thin negligee that was almost see-through, and her charm seemed to stand out even more as her body, which had been hidden by the loose dress, was revealed.

“Zanderom. This way.”

She led me to a corner of the garden a little away from the mansion. There was a clean table and tea set prepared in advance.

“Clara. What do you want to say…?”

“Oh, well… first, let’s talk while drinking.”

“…Of course.”

Drinking tea quietly while sitting in the garden at night was refreshing and strangely emotional.

“Zanderom. Hey…”

“Yes. Please tell me.”

“That…”

She was squirming and hesitating, but her face suddenly turned red and she made eye contact.

“Can you marry me…?”

“…Yes?”

It was so unexpected that I was stunned for a moment.

“Oh, I’m sorry, but I have a fiancé.”

“I heard that Zanderom is not in a relationship with his fiancé.”

Where on earth do you get that kind of information? Is it coming from my fiancé?

“Well…I know it’s rude to say this, but I fell in love at first sight.”

“Huh…but I am the youngest. You probably already know…”

“The succession issue doesn’t matter! Zanderom already has the ability to start a family!”

Her voice, standing up and shouting, echoes through the garden.

Her blush deepened, she lowered her head and hurriedly sat down.

“Ability…is that why you asked me to marry you?”

“No! It’s not just about that! Rather, that is a secondary reason!”

“Then what is the main reason?”

“…that…face…”

“Yes?”

“I know it’s very worldly, but…you’re my ideal type. Really…”

“……”

In one word, I like the face. If you look good, things like this happen.

“Hmm…I’m sorry. I guess I have no choice but to refuse that.”

“…Even though I can love you more than anyone else…?”

“…It’s a bit hard to say this, but I’m a very flirtatious person.”

“Yes…?”

“He likes women very much. Saraha, who goes with me, is also a member of my harem. In addition, he has more than ten women. Do you still like me like this?”

She stared at my face for a moment and then swallowed.

“Well, I guess so. Well, if you have something that great…that desire will become stronger…”

“……”

I’ve seen everything there is to see about this woman.

“Uh, no matter what I do, it won’t work…? It doesn’t matter if she’s a concubine…”

“I don’t know why. I don’t even know why I come in bending so excessively.”

“……”

“……”

A heavy silence fell for a moment.

“Ha…actually, I knew. There’s no way I’d grant a request like this…”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Well, then…there.”

“Yes?”

“Please, let me dream at least for one night. I will treasure it only for myself…”

She slowly stood up, approached with hesitant steps, and put her face close to him.

“……”

I was suspicious because it was such a good thing to say, so I quickly spread the feeling around.

This is to check if there are any lurking humans or magical objects.

“Hmm…”

But there was nothing around. Although there was a magic barrier, it cannot provide evidence of ‘playing with fire’.

So, is this woman truly in love with me and asking me this favor?

It looks like at least one screw is missing.

“Trigram, it’s okay! I know what you’re worried about! We’ve already thought about measures for that! Well… they say that even hymens can be regenerated! With magic!”

“……”

Magic is amazing.

“…Okay.”

Well, that’s it. If a woman does this and ignores it, she is not a man.

She made up her mind, so all I have to do is repay her.

“Then…I will engrave a memory that you will never forget for the rest of your life.”

As I stand up and hug my delicate body, I feel the warm body temperature and soft skin through the thin negligee.

“Ah… thank you…!”

She was in my arms and faced me with bright eyes.